THE  UNIVERSITY 


OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 

821 

T85P 

cap.2 


. 


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THE  LIBRARY  (If  THE 
JUL  16  1934 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


FIRST  SERIES. 


I 


1 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY: 


A BOOK  OF 

THOUGHTS  AND  ARGUMENTS, 

ORIGINALLY  TREATED 


MARTIN  FARaUIIAR  TUPPER,  ESQ.,  M.A., 
Of  Christchurch , Oxford. 

AUTHOR  OF  “THE  CROCK  OF  GOLD,”  ETC. 

THE  LtP<*'DY  "F  THE 
JUTTTIS34 

UNIVM^MkP-LINOIS 

JOHN  WILEY,  161  BROADWAY, 


1848. 


ROBERT  CRAIGHEAD,  PRINTER, 
112  FULTON  STREET. 


T.  B.  SMITH,  STEREOTYPER, 
216  WILLIAM  STREET. 


I <5  3Vi  • • ' r e mf 


I 

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821 

T83p 

tcPa 

• 1 CONTENTS. 

FIRST  SERIES. 


Page 

Prefatory  ---------  ----  - 7 

The  Words  of  Wisdom  - --  - -----  - 9 

Of  Truth  in  Things  False  - --  --  --  --  11 

Of  Anticipation-  - --  --  --  -----1,5 

Of  Hidden  Uses  - --  --  --  --  --  --  17 
Of  Compensation  - --  --  --  --  --  - -22 

Of  Indirect  Influences  - --  --  --  --  - 27 

Of  Memory  - --  --  --  -- 33 

The  Dream  of  Ambition  - --  --  --  --  -37 
Of  Subjection  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 39'- 

Of  Rest 50  t 

Of  Humility  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --53 

Of  Pride  - --  - - -58 

Of  Experience - - - 60 

Of  Estimating  Character  - --  --  --  --63 

Of  Hatred  and  Anger  - --  --  --  --  -73 

Of  Good  in  Things  Evil  - --  --  --  --  74 

Of  Prayer  - - -*  - - - - -----  80 

The  Lord’s  Prayer  - --  --  --  --  --  -85 

Of  Discretion  - --  --  --  --  --  --  -87 

Of  Trifles  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --90 

Of  Recreation  - --  --  --  --  --  --  -93 

The  Train  of  Religion  - --  --  --  --  --98 


8S3bb2 


iv  CONTENTS. 

Page 

Of  a Trinity  ------- 100 

Of  Thinking  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 105 

Of  Speaking  - --  --  - _____  . 112 

Of  Reading  - - - - - - - - ------  no 

Of  Writing  - --  - _______  ng 

Of  Wealth  --  ________  122 

Of  Invention  - - -------  - 128 

Of  Ridicule  ----------  - 131 

Of  Commendation  - ----------  - 133 

Of  Self-Acquaintance  - --------  - 138 

Of  Cruelty  to  Animals  - --  -- 345 

Of  Friendship  - --  - - - - 148 

Of  Rove  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 153 

Of  Marriage  - --  --  --------  - 156 

Of  Education  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 101 

Of  Tolerance  - --  -- 172 

Of  Sorrow  176 

Of  Joy  - * - ---  --- 178 

SECOND  SERIES. 

Introductory  - --  --  --  --  - --  --  185 

Of  Cheerfulness  - --  --  --  --  - - 188 

Of  Yesterday  - --  --  --  --  --  --  193 

Of  To-day  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 198 

Of  To-morrow 201 

Of  Authorship  - --  --  --  --  --  --  - 204 

Of  Mystery  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  212 

Of  Gifts - - - - -----  221 

Of  Beauty ----------  227 

Of  Fame  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  - 243 

Of  Flattery  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  252 

Of  Neglect  - --  --  --  --  --  --  --  262 

Of  Contentment  - --  --  --  --  --  --  271 

Of  Life  - -- 277 


CONTENTS. 


Of  Death  - - 
Of  Immortality 
Of  Ideas  - - 
Of  Names  - - 
Of  Things  - - 
Of  Faith  - - 
Of  Honesty  - 
Of  Society 
Of  Solitude  - 
The  End  - - 
Votes 


Page 

- 284 

- 292 

- 314 

- 318 

- 324 

- 328 

- 339 

- 344 

- 354 

- 358 
365 


\ 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


PREFATORY. 

Thoughts,  that  have  tarried  in  my  mind,  and  peopled  its 
inner  chambers, 

The  sober  children  of  reason,  or  desultory  train  of  fancy ; 

Clear  running  wine  of  conviction,  with  the  scum  and  the 
lees  of  speculation  ; 

Corn  from  the  sheaves  of  science,  with  stubble  from  mine 
own  garner ; 

Searchings  after  Truth,  that  have  tracked  her  secret  lodes, 

And  come  up  again  to  the  surface-world,  with  a knowledge 
grounded  deeper ; 

Arguments  of  high  scope,  that  have  soared  to  the  keystone  of 
heaven, 

And  thence  have  swooped  to  their  certain  mark,  as  the  fal- 
con to  its  quarry ; 

The  fruits  I have  gathered  of  prudence,  the  ripened  harvest 
of  my  musings, 

These  commend  I unto  thee,  O docile  scholar  of  Wisdom, 

These  I give  to  thy  gentle  heart,  thou  lover  of  the  right. 

What  though  a guilty  man  renew  that  hallowed  theme, 

And  strike  with  feebler  hand  the  harp  of  Sirach’s  son  1 

What,  though  a youthful  tongue  take  up  that  ancient  parable 

And  utter  faintly  forth  dark  sayings  as  of  old  ? 

Sweet  is  the  virgin  honey,  though  the  wild  bee  have  stored 
it  in  a reed ; 


[ 


8 PREFATORY.  [series  i. 

And  bright  the  jewelled  band,  that  circleth  an  Ethiop’s 
arm  ; 

Pure  are  the  grains  of  gold  in  the  turbid  stream  of  Ganges, 

And  fair  the  living  flowers,  that  spring  from  the  dull  cold 
sod. 

Wherefore,  thou  gentle  student,  bend  thine  ear  to  my  speech, 

For  I also  am  as  thou  art ; our  hearts  can  commune  together : 

To  meanest  matters  will  I stoop,  for  mean  is  the  lot  of  mortal ; 

I will  rise  to  noblest  themes,  for  the  soul  hath  an  heritage  of 
glory : 

The  passions  of  puny  man ; the  majestic  characters  of  God ; 

The  feverish  shadows  of  time,  and  the  mighty  substance  of 
eternity. 

Commend  thy  mind  unto  candor,  and  grudge  not  as  though 
thou  hadst  a teacher, 

Nor  scorn  angelic  Truth  for  the  sake  of  her  evil  herald  ; 

Heed  not  him,  but  hear  his  words,  and  care  not  whence  they 
come ; 

The  viewless  winds  might  whisper  them,  the  billows  roar 
them  forth, 

The  mean  unconscious  sedge  sigh  them  in  the  ear  of  evening, 

Or  tiie  mind  of  pride  conceive,  and  the  mouth  of  folly  speak 
them. 

Lo  now,  I stand  not  forth  laying  hold  on  spear  and  buckler, 

I come  *a  man  of  peace,  to  comfort,  not  to  combat ; 

With  soft  persuasive  speech  to  charm  thy  patient  ear, 

Giving  the  hand  of  fellowship,  acknowledging  the  heart  of 
sympathy  : 

Let  us  walk  together  as  friends  in  the  shaded  paths  of  medi- 
tation. 

Nor  Judgment  set  his  seal  until  he  hath  poised  his  balance  ; 

That  the  chastenings  of  mild  reproof  may  meet  unwitting 
error, 

And  Charity  not  be  a stranger  at  the  board  that  is  spread  for 
brothers. 


series  i.)  THE  WORDS  OF  WISDOM. 


9 


THE  WORDS  OF  WISDOM. 

Few  and  precious  are  the  words  which  the  lips  of  Wisdom 
utter : 

To  what  shall  their  rarity  be  likened  1 What  price  shall 
count  their  worth  ? 

Perfect  and  much  to  be  desired,  and  giving  joy  with  riches, 

No  lovely  thing  on  earth  can  picture  all  their  beauty. 

They  be  chance  pearls,  flung  among  the  rocks  by  the  sullen 
waters  of  Oblivion, 

Which  Diligence  loveth  to  gather,  and  hang  around  the  neck 
of  Memory  ; 

They  be  white- winged  seeds  of  happiness,  wafted  from  the 
islands  of  the  blessed, 

Which  Thought  carefully  tendeth,  in  the  kindly  garden  of 
the  heart ; 

They  be  sproutings  of  an  harvest  for  eternity,  bursting 
through  the  tilth  of  time, 

Green  promise  of  the  golden  wheat,  that  yieldeth  angels’ 
food ; 

They  be  drops  of  the  crystal  dew,  which  the  wings  of  se- 
raphs scatter, 

When  on  some  brighter  Sabbath,  their  plumes  quiver  most 
with  delight ; 

Such,  and  so  precious,  are  the  words  which  the  lips  of  Wis- 
dom utter. 

Yet  more,  for  the  half  is  not  said,  of  their  might,  and  dignity, 
and  value ; 

For  live-giving  be  they  and  glorious,  redolent  of  sanctity  and 
heaven : 

As  the  fumes  of  hallowed  incense,  that  veil  the  throne  of 
the  Most  High ; 


10  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

As  the  bended  bubbles  that  sparkle  on  the  rim  of  the  cup  of 
immortality ; 

As  wreaths  of  the  rainbow  spray,  from  the  pure  cataracts  of 
Truth. 

Such,  and  so  precious,  are  the  words  which  the  lips  of  Wis- 
dom utter. 

Yet  orice  again,  loving  student,  suffer  the  praises  of  thy 
teacher, 

For  verily  the  sun  of  the  mind,  and  the  life  of  the  heart,  is 
Wisdom : 

She  is  pure  and  full  of  light,  crowning  grey  hairs  with  lustre, 

And  kindling  the  eye  of  youth  with  a fire  not  its  own  ; 

And  her  words,  whereunto  canst  thou  liken  them  7 for  earth 
cannot  shew  their  peers  : 

They  be  grains  of  the  diamond  sand,  the  radiant  floor  of 
heaven, 

Rising  in  sunny  dust  behind  the  chariot  of  God  ; 

They  be  flashes  of  the  day-spring  from  on  high,  shed  from 
the  windows  of  the  skies ; 

They  be  streams  of  living  waters,  fresh  from  the  fountain  of 
Intelligence ; 

Such,  and  so  precious,  are  the  words  which  the  lips  of  Wis- 
dom utter. 

\ 

For  these  shall  guide  thee  well,  and  guard  thee  on  thy  way  ; 

And  wanting  all  beside,  with  these  shalt  thou  be  rich  : 

Though  all  around  be  woe,  these  shall  make  thee  happy ; 

Though  all  within  be  pain,  these  shall  bring  thee  health  ; 

Thy  good  shall  grow  into  ripeness,  thine  evil  wither  and 
decay, 

And  Wisdom’s  words  shall  sweetly  charm  thy  doubtful  into 
virtues : 

Meanness  shall  then  be  frugal  care ; where  shame  was,  thou 
art  modest ; 


series  i.J  OF  TRUTH  IN  THINGS  FALSE.  11 

Cowardice  riseth  into  caution,  rashness  is  sobered  into  cou- 
rage ; 

The  wra  thful  spirit,  rendering  a reason,  standeth  justified  in 
anger, 

The  idle  h ind  hath  fair  excuse,  propping  the  thoughtful 

forehead. 

Life  shall  have  no  labyrinth  but  thy  steps  can  track  it, 

For  thou  hast  a silken  clue,  to  lead  thee  through  the  dant- 
ne.’s : 

The  rampant  Minotaur  of  ignorance  shall  perish  at  thy 
coining, 

And  thine  enfranchised  fellows  hail  thy  white  victorious 

sails.  (') 

Wherefore,  friend  and  scholar,  hear  the  words  of  Wisdom  ; 
Whether  she  speaketh  to  thy  soul  in  the  full  chords  of  re  ve- 
la ion  ; 

In  the  teaching  earth,  or  air,  or  sea;  in  the  still  melodies  of 
thought, 

Or,  haply,  in  the  humbler  strains  that  would  detain  thee 
here. 


OF  TRUTH  IN  THINGS  FALSE. 

Error  is  a hardy  plant ; it  flourisheth  in  every  soil ; 

In  the  heart  of  the  wise  and  good,  alike  with  the  wicked  and 
foolish ; 

For  there  is  no  error  so  crooked,  but  it  hath  in  it  some  lines 
of  truth  ; 

Nor  is  any  poison  so  deadly,  that  it  serveth  not  some  whole- 
some use: 

And  the  just  man,  enamored  of  the  right,  is  blinded  by  the 
speciousness  of  wrong, 

And  the  prudent,  perceiving  an  advantage,  is  content  to  over- 
look the  harm. 


12  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

On  all  things  created  remaineth  the  half-effaced  signature  of 
God, 

Somewhat  of  fair  and  good,  though  blotted  by  the  finger  of 
corruption : 

And  if  error  cometli  in  like  a flood,  it  mixeth  with  streams  of 
truth, 

And  the  Adversary  loveth  to  have  it  so,  for  thereby  many 
are  decoyed. 

Providence  is  dark  in  its  permissions ; yet  one  day,  when  all 
is  known, 

The  universe  of  reason  shall  acknowledge  how  just  and 
good  were  they ; 

For  the  wise  man  leaneth  on  his  wisdom,  and  the  righteous 
trusteth  to  his  righteousness, 

And  those  who  thirst  for  independence,  are  suffered  to  drink 
of  disappointment. 

Wherefore  1 — to  prove  and  humble  them ; and  to  teach  the 
idolators  of  truth, 

That  it  is  but  the  ladder  unto  Him,  on  whom  only  they 
should  trust. 

There  is  truth  in  the  wildest  scheme  that  imaginative  heat 
hath  engendered, 

And  a man  may  gather  somewhat  from  the  crudest  theories 
of  fancy : 

The  alchemist  laboreth  in  folly,  but  catcheth  chance  gleams 
of  wisdom, 

And  findeth  out  many  inventions,  though  his  crucible  breed 
not  gold ; 

The  sinner,  toying  with  witchcraft,  thinketh  to  delude  his 
fellows, 

But  there  be  very  spirits  of  evil,  and  what  if  they  come  at 
his  bidding  1 

He  is  a bold  bad  man  who  dareth  to  tamper  with  the  dead ; 

For  their  whereabout  lieth  in  a mystery — that  vestibule 
leading  to  Eternity, 


series  i.J  OF  TRUTH  IN  THINGS  FALSE. 


13 


The  waiting-room  for  unclad  ghosts,  before  the  presence- 
chamber  of  their  King : 

Mind  may  act  upon  mind,  though  bodies  be  far  divided ; 

For  the  life  is  in  the  blood,  but  souls  communicate  unseen : 

And  the  heat  of  an  excited  intellect,  radiating  to  its  fellows, 

Doth  kindle  dry  leaves  afar  off,  while  the  green  wood  around 
it  is  unwarmed. 

The  dog  may  have  a spirit,  as  well  as  his  brutal  master ; 

A spirit  to  live  in  happiness ; for  why  should  he  be  robbed 
of  his  existence  ? 

Hath  he  not  a conscience  of  evil,  a glimmer  of  moral  sense, 

Love  and  hatred,  courage  and  fear,  and  visible  shame  and 
pride  1 

There  may  be  a future  rest  for  the  patient  victims  of  the 
cruel; 

And  a season  allotted  for  their  bliss,  to  compensate  for  unjust 
suffering. 

Spurn  not  at  seeming  error,  but  dig  below  its  surface  for  the 
truth ; 

And  beware  of  seeming  truths,  that  grow  on  the  roots  of 
error : 

For  comely  are  the  apples  that  spring  from  the  Dead  Sea’s 
cursed  shore : 

But  within  are  they  dust  and  ashes,  and  the  hand  that  pluck- 
ed them  shall  rue  it. 

A frequent  similar  effect  argueth  a constant  cause : 

Yet  who  hath  counted  the  links  that  bind  an  omen  to  its 
issue  ? 

Who  hath:  expounded  the  law  that  rendereth  calamities  gre- 

fe  annus, 

Pressing  down  with  yet  more  woes  the  heavy-laden  mourn- 
er 1 

Who  knoweth  wherefore  a monsoon  should  swell  the  sails 
of  the  prosperous, 

Blithely  speeding  on  their  course  the  children  of  good  luck  1 
2 


14  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Who  hath  companioned  a vision  from  the  horn  or  ivory 
gate,  (2) 

Or  met  another’s  mind  in  his,  and  explained  its  presence  1 
There  is  a secret  somewhat  in  antipathies  ; and  love  is 
more  than  fancy ; 

Yea,  and  a palpable  notice  warneth  of  an  instant  danger ; 
For  the  soul  hath  its  feelers,  cobwebs  floating  on  the  wind, 
That  catch  events  in  their  approach  with  sure  and  apt  pre- 
sentiment. 

So  that  some  halo  of  attraction  heraldeth  a coming  friend, 
Investing  in  his  likeness  the  stranger  that  passed  on  before ; 
And  while  the  word  is  in  thy  mouth,  behold  thy  word  ful- 
filled, 

And  he  of  whom  we  spake  can  answer  for  himself. 

O man,  little  hast  thou  learnt  of  truth  in  things  most  true, 
How  therefore  shall  thy  blindness  wot  of  truth  in  things 
most  false  1 

Thou  hast  not  yet  perceived  the  causes  of  life  or  motion, 
How  then  canst  thou  define  the  subtle  sympathies  of  mind  1 
For  the  spirit,  sharpest  and  strongest  when  disease  hath  rent 
the  body, 

Hath  welcomed  kindred  spirits  in  nightly  visitations, 

Or  learnt  from  restless  ghosts  dark  secrets  of  the  living, 

And  helped  slow  justice  to  her  prey  by  the  dreadful  teaching 
of  a dream. 


Verily,  there  is  nothing  so  true,  that  the  damps  of  error 
have  not  warped  it ; 

Verily,  there  is  nothing  so  false,  that  a sparkle  of  truth  is  not 
in  it. 

For  the  enemy,  the  father  of  lies,  the  giant  Upas  of  crea- 
tion, 

Whose  deadly  shade  hath  blasted  this  once  green  garden  of 
the  Lord, 

Can  but  pervert  the  good,  but  may  not  create  the  evil ; 


series  I.]  OF  ANTICIPATION.  15 

He  destroyeth,  but  cannot  build ; for  he  is  not  antagonist 
deity : 

Mighty  is  his  stolen  power,  yet  is  he  a creature  and  a sub- 
ject ; 

Not  a maker  of  abstract  wrong,  but  a spoiler  of  concrete 
right : 

The  fiend  hath  not  a royal  crown  ; he  is  but  a prowling  rob- 
ber, 

Suffered,  for  some  mysterious  end,  to  haunt  the  King’s  high- 
way ; 

And  the  keen  sword  he  beareth,  once  was  « -simple  plough- 
share ; 

Yea,  and  his  panoply  of  error  is  but  a distortion  of  the  truth : 

The  sickle  that  once  reaped  righteousness,  beaten  from  its 
useful  curve, 

With  axe,  and  spike,  and  bar,  headeth  the  marauder’s  hal- 
bert, 

Seek  not  further,  O man,  to  solve  the  dark  riddle  of  sin ; 

Suffice  it,  that  thine  own  bad  heart  is  to  thee  thine  origin  ol 
evil. 


OF  ANTICIPATION. 

Thou  hast  seen  many  sorrows,  travel-stained  pilgrim  of  the 
world, 

But  that  which  hath  vexed  thee  most,  hath  been  the  look- 
ing for  evil ; 

And  though  calamities  have  crossed  thee,  and  misery  been 
heaped  on  thy  head, 

Yet  ills  that  never  happened,  have  chiefly  made  thee 
wretched. 

The  sting  of  pain  and  the  edge  of  pleasure  are  blunted  by 
long  expectation, 

For  the  gall  and  the  balm  alike  are  diluted  in  the  waters  of 
patience : 


16  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  often  thou  sippest  sweetness,  ere  the  cup  is  dashed  from 
thy  lip ; 

Or  drainest  the  gall  of  fear,  while  evil  is  passing  by  thy 
dwelling. 

A man  too  careful  of  danger  liveth  in  continual  torment, 

But  a cheerful  expecter  of  the  best  hath  a fountain  of  joy 
within  him : 

Yea,  though  the  breath  of  disappointment  should  chill  the 
sanguine  heart, 

Speedily  gloweth  it  again,  warmed  by  the  live  embers  of 
hope  ; 

Though  the  black  and  heavy  surge  close  above  the  head  for 
a moment, 

Yet  the  happy  buoyancy  of  Confidence  riseth  superior  to 
Despair. 

Verily,  evils  may  be  courted,  may  be  wooed  and  won  by  dis- 
trust; 

For  the  wise  Physician  of  our  weal  loveth  not  an  unbeliev- 
ing spirit ; 

And  to  those  giveth  he  good,  who  rely  on  his  hand  for  good; 

And  those  leaveth  he  to  evil,  who  fear,  but  trust  him  not. 

Ask  for  good,  and  hope  it ; for  the  ocean  of  good  is  fathomless  ; 

Ask  for  good,  and  have  it ; for  thy  Friend  would  see  thee 
happy . 

But  to  the  timid  heart,  to  the  child  of  unbelief  and  dread, 

That  leaneth  on  his  own  weak  staff,  and  trusteth  the  sight 
of  his  eyes, 

The  evil  he  feared  shall  come,  for  the  soil  is  ready  for  the 
seed, 

And  suspicion  hath  coldly  put  aside  the  hand  that  was  ready 
to  help  him, 

Therefore  look  up,  sad  spirit ; be  strong,  thou  coward  heart, 

Or  fear  will  make  thee  wretched,  though  evil  follow  not  be- 
hind : 

Cease  to  anticipate  misfortune, — there  are  still  many  chances 
of  escape ; 


SERIES  I.[ 


OF  HIDDEN  USES. 


17 


But  if  it  come,  be  courageous  : face  it,  and  conquer  thy  cala- 
mity. 

There  is  not  an  enemy  so  stout  as  to  storm  and  take  the  for- 
tress of  the  mind, 

Unless  its  infirmity  turn  traitor,  and  Fear  unbar  the  gates. 

The  valiant  standeth  as  a rock,  and  the  billows  break  upon 
him  ; 

The  timorous  is  a skiff  unmoored,  tossed  and  mocked  at  by  a 
ripple  ; 

The  valiant  holdeth  fast  to  good,  till  evil  wrench  it  from  him ; 

The  timorous  casteth  it  aside,  to  meet  the  worst  half  way  : 

Yet  oftentimes  is  evil  but  a braggart,  that  provoketh  and  will 
not  fight ; 

Or  the  feint  of  a subtle  fencer,  who  measureth  his  thrust 
elsewhere : 

Or  perchance  a blessing  in  a masque,  sent  to  try  thy  trust. 

The  precious  smiting  of  a friend,  whose  frowns  are  all  in  love  : 

Often  the  storm  threateneth,  but  is  driven  to  other  climes, 

And  the  weak  hath  quailed  in  fear,  while  the  firm  hath  been 
glad  in  his  confidence. 


OF  HIDDEN  USES. 

The  sea-wort  ^3)  floating  on  the  waves,  or  rolled  up  high 
along  the  shore. 

Ye  counted  useless  and  vile,  heaping  on  it  names  of  contempt : 

Yet  hath  it  gloriously  triumphed,  and  man  been  humbled  In 
his  ignorance, 

For  health  is  in  the  freshness  of  its  savor,  and  it  cumbereth 
the  beach  with  wealth ; 

Comforting  the  tossings  of  pain  with  its  violet-tinctured 
essence 

And  by  its  humbler  ashes  enriching  many  proud. 

Be  this,  then,  a lesson  to  thy  soui,  that  thou  reckon  nothing 
worthless, 


2* 


18  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Because  thou  heedest  not  its  use,  nor  knowest  the  virtues 
thereof. 

And  herein,  as  thou  walkest  by  the  sea,  shall  weeds  be  a 
type  and  an  earnest 

Of  the  stored  and  uncounted  riches  lying  hid  in  all  creatures 
of  God : 

There  be  flowers  making  glad  the  desert,  and  roots  fattening 
the  soil, 

And  jewels  in  the  secret  deep,  scattered  among  groves  of  coral, 
And  comforts  to  crown  all  wishes,  and  aids  unto  every  need, 
Influences  yet  unthought,  and  virtues,  and  many  inventions, 
And  uses  above  and  around,  which  man  hath  not  yet  regarded. 
Not  long  to  charm  away  disease,  hath  the  crocus  (*)  yielded 
up  its  bulb, 

Nor  the  willow  lent  its  bark,  nor  the  nightshade  its  vanquished 
poison ; 

Not  long  hath  the  twisted  leaf,  the  fragrant  gift  9f  China, 
Nor  that  nutritious  root,  the  boon  of  far  Peru, 

Nor  the  many-colored  dahlia,  nor  the  gorgeous  flaunting  cactus. 
Nor  the  multitude  of  fruits  and  flowers  ministered  to  life  and 
luxury ; 

Even  so,  there  be  virtues  yet  unknown  in  the  wasted  foliage 
of  the  elm, 

In  the  sun-dried  harebell  of  the  downs,  and  the  hyacinth 
drinking  in  the  meadow, 

In  the  sycamore’s  winged  fruit,  and  the  facet-cut  cones  of  the 
cedar ; 

And  the  pansy  and  bright  geranium  live  not  alone  for  beauty 
Nor  the  waxen  flower  of  the  arbute,  though  it  dieth  in  a day, 
Nor  the  sculptured  crest  of  the  fir,  unseen  but  by  the  stars ; 
And  the  meanest  weed  of  the  garden  serveth  unto  many  uses, 
The  salt  tamarisk,  and  juicy  flag,  the  freckled  orchis,  and  the 
daisy. 

The  world  may  laugh  at  famine  when  forest-trees  yield  bread, 
When  acorns  give  out  fragrant  drink,  (5)  and  the  sap  of  the 
fiuaden  is  as  fatness : 


SERIES  I.] 


OF  HIDDEN  USES. 


19 


For  every  green  herb,  from  the  lotus  to  the  darnel, 

Is  rich  with  delicate  aids  to  help  incurious  man. 

Still,  Mind  is  up  and  stirring,  and  pryeth  in  the  corners  of 
contrivance, 

Often  from  the  dark  recesses  picking  out  bright  seeds  of  truth : 

Knowledge  hath  clipped  the  lightning’s  wings,  and  mewed  it 
up  for  a purpose, 

Training  to  some  domestic  task  the  fiery  bird  of  heaven ; 

Tamed  is  the  spirit  of  the  storm,  to  slave  in  all  peaceful  arts, 

To  walk  with  husbandry  and  science ; to  stand  in  the 
vanguard  against  death : 

And  the  chemist  balanceth  his  elements  with  more  than 
magic  skill, 

Commanding  stones  that  they  be  bread,  and  draining 
sweetness  out  of  wormwood. 

Yet  man,  heedless  of  a God,  counteth  up  vain  reckonings, 

Fearing  to  be  jostled  and  starved  out,  by  the  too  prolific 
increase  of  his  kind  ; 

And  asketh,  in  unbelieving  dread,  for  how  few  years  to  come 

Will  the  black  cellars  of  the  world  yield  unto  him  fuel  for 
his  winter. 

Might  not  the  wide  waste  sea  be  pent  within  narrower 
bounds  1 

Might  not  the  arm  of  diligence  make  the  tangled  wilderness 
a garden  1 

And  for  aught  thou  canst  tell,  there  may  be  a thousand 
methods 

Of  comforting  thy  limbs  in  warmth,  though  thou  kindle  not  a 
spark. 

Fear  not,  son  of  man,  for  thyself  nor  thy  seed:— with  a 
multitude  is  plenty ; 

God’s  blessing  giveth  increase,  and  with  it  larger  than  enough. 

Search  out  the  wisdom  of  nature,  there  is  depth  in  all  her 
doings ; 


20  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

She  seemeth  prodigal  of  power,  yet  her  rules  are  the  maxims 
of  frugality : 

The  plant  refresheth  the  air,  and  the  earth  filtereth  the 
water, 

And  dews  are  sucked  into  the  cloud,  dropping  fatness  on  the 
world : 

She  hath,  on  a mighty  scale,  the  general  use  for  all  things  ; 

Yet  hath  she  specially  fbr  each  its  microscopic  purpose : 

There  is  use  in  the  prisoned  air,  that  swelleth  the  pods  of 
the  laburnum ; 

Design  in  the  venomed  thorns,  that  sentinel  the  leaves  of  the 
nettle ; 

A final  cause  for  the  aromatic  gum,  that  congealeth  the  moss 
around  a rose : 

A reason  for  each  blade  of  grass,  that  reareth  its  small  spire. 

How  knoweth  discontented  man  what  a train  of  ills  might 
follow, 

If  the  lowest  menial  of  nature  knew  not  her  secret  office  7 

If  the  thistle  never  sprang  up,  to  mock  the  loose  husbandry 
of  indolence, 

Or  the  pestilence  never  swept  away  an  unknown  curse  from 
among  men  7 

Would  ye  crush  the  buzzing  myriads  that  float  on  the  breath 
of  the  evening  7 

Would  ye  trample  the  creatures  of  God  that  people  the 
rotting  fruit  ? 

Would  ye  suffer  no  mildew  forest  to  stain  the  unhealthy  wall, 

Nor  a noisome  savor  to  exhale  from  the  pool  that  breedeth 
disease  7 

Pain  is  useful  unto  man,  for  it  teacheth  him  to  guard  his  life, 

And  the  fetid  vapors  of  the  fen  warn  him  to  fly  from  danger : 

And  the  meditative  mind,  looking  on,  winneth  good  food  for 
its  hunger, 

Seeing  the  wholesome  root  bring  forth  a poisonous  berry  ; 

For  otherwhile  falleth  it  out  that  truth,  driven  to  extremities, 

Yieldeth  bitter  folly  as  the  spoilt  fruit  of  wisdom. 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  HIDDEN  USES. 


21 


O,  blinded  is  thine  eye,  if  it  see  not  just  aptitude  in  all  things  ; 
O,  frozen  is  thy  heart,  if  it  glow  not  with  gratitude  for  all 
things ; 

In  the  perfect  circle  of  creation  not  an  atom  could  be  spared, 
From  earth’s  magnetic  zone  to  the  bindweed  round  a 
hawthorn. 


The  sage,  and  the  beetle  at  his  feet,  hath  each  a ministration 
to  perform ; 

The  briar  and  the  palm  have  the  wages  of  life,  rendering 
secret  service. 

Neither  is  it  thus  alone  with  the  definite  existences  of  matter ; 

But  motion  and  sound,  circumstance  and  quality,  yea,  all 
things  have  their  office. 

The  zephyr  playing  with  an  aspen  leaf, — the  earthquake  that 
rendeth  a continent ; 

The  moonbeam  silvering  a ruined  arch, — the  desert  wave 
dashing  up  a pyramid  ; 

The  thunder  of  jarring  icebergs, — the  stops  of  a shepherd’s 
pipe  ; 

The  howl  of  the  tiger  in  the  glen, — and  the  wood-dove  calling 
to  her  mate  ; 

The  vulture’s  cruel  rage, — the  grace  of  the  stately  swan  ; 

The  fierceness  looking  from  the  lynx’s  eye,  and  the  dull 
stupor  of  the  sloth : 

To  these,  and  to  all,  is  there  added  each  its  use,  though  man 
considereth  it  lightly ; 

For  Power  hath  ordained  nothing  which  Economy  saw  not 
needful. 

All  things  being  are  essential  to  the  vast  ubiquity  of  God  ; 

Neither  is  there  one  thing  overmuch,  nor  freed  from  honorable 
servitude. 

Were  there  not  a need-be  of  wisdom,  nothing  would  be  as  it  is ; 

For  essence  without  necessity  argueth  a moral  weakness. 


22  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

We  look  through  a glass  darkly,  we  catch  but  glimpses  of 
truth ; 

But,  doubtless,  the  sailing  of  a cloud  hath  Providence  to  its 
pilot, 

Doubtless,  the  root  of  an  oak  is  gnarled  for  a special  purpose, 

The  foreknown  station  of  a rush  is  as  fixed  as  the  station  of 
a king, 

And  chaff  from  the  hand  of  a winnower,  steered  as  the  stars 
in  their  courses. 

Man  liveth  only  in  himself,  but  the  Lord  liveth  in  all  things ; 

And  His  pervading  unity  quickeneth  the  whole  creation. 

Man  doeth  one  thing  at  once,  nor  can  he  think  two  thoughts 
together ; 

But  God  compasseth  all  things,  mantling  the  globe  like  air: 

And  we  render  homage  to  His  wisdom,  seeing  use  in  all  His 
creatures, 

For,  perchance,  the  universe  would  die,  were  not  all  things 
as  they  are. 


OF  COMPENSATION. 

Equal  is  the  government  of  heaven  in  allotting  pleasures 
among  men, 

And  just  the  everlasting  law,  that  hath  wedded  happiness  to 
virtue : 

For  verily  on  all  things  else  broodeth  disappointment  with 
care, 

That  childish  man  may  be  taught  the  shallowness  of  earthly 
enjoyment. 

Wherefore,  ye  that  have  enough,  envy  ye  the  rich  man  his 
abundance  ? 

Wherefore,  daughters  of  affluence,  covet  ye  the  cottager’s 
content  ? 

Take  the  good  with  the  evil,  for  ye  all  are  pensioners  of  God, 

And  none  may  choose  or  refuse  the  cup  His  wisdom  mixeth. 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  COMPENSATION. 


23 


The  poor  man  rejoiceth  at  his  toil,  and  his  daily  bread  is 
sweet  to  him : 

Content  with  present  good  he  looketh  not  for  evil  to  the  future. 

The  rich  man  languisheth  with  sloth,  and  findeth  pleasure 
in  nothing, 

He  locketh  up  care  with  his  gold,  and  feareth  the  fickleness 
of  fortune. 

Can  a cup  contain  within  itself  the  measure  of  a bucket  7 

Or  the  straitened  appetites  of  man  drink  more  than  their  fill 
of  luxury  7 

There  is  a limit  to  enjoyment,  though  the  sources  of  wealth 
be  boundless, 

And  the  choicest  pleasures  of  life  lie  within  the  ring  of 
moderation. 

Also,  though  penury  and  pain  be  real  and  bitter  evils, 

I would  reason  with  the  poor  afflicted,  for  he  is  not  so 
wretched  as  he  seemeth. 

What  right  hath  an  offender  to  complain,  though  others 
escape  punishment, 

If  the  stripes  of  earned  misfortune  overtake  him  in  his  sin  7 

Wherefore  not  endure  with  resignation  the  evils  thou  canst 
not  avert  7 

For  the  coward  pain  will  flee,  if  thou  meet  him  as  a man  : 

Consider  whatever  be  thy  fate,  that  it  might  and  ought  to 
have  been  worse. 

And  that  it  lieth  in  thy  hand  to  gather  even  blessings  from 
afflictions : 

Bethink  thee,  wherefore  were  they  sent  ? and  hath  not  use 
blunted  their  keenness  7 

Need  hope,  and  patience,  and  courage,  be  strangers  to  the 
meanest  hovel  7 

Thou  art  in  an  evil  case, — it  were  cruel  to  deny  to  thee 
compassion, 

But  there  is  not  unmitigated  ill  in  the  sharpest  of  this  world’s 


24  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  Series  i. 

I touch  not  the  sore  of  thy  guilt ; but  of  human  griefs  1 
counsel  thee, 

Cast  off  the  weakness  of  regret,  and  gird  thee  to  redeem  thy 
loss. 

Thou  h ist  gained,  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  self-knowledge, 
patience,  and  humility, 

And  these  be  as  precious  ore,  that  waite th  the  skill  of  the 
coiner : 

Despise  not  the  blessings  of  adversity,  nor  the  gain  thou  hast 
earned  so  hardly, 

And  now  thou  hast  drained  the  bitter,  take  heed  that  thou 
lose  not  the  sweet. 

Power  is  seldom  innocent,  and  envy  is  the  yoke-fellow  of 
eminence ; 

And  the  rust  of  the  miser’s  riches  wasteth  his  soul  as  a canker. 

The  poor  man  counteth  not  the  cost  at  which  such  wealth 
hath  been  purchased ; 

He  would  be  on  the  mountain’s  top  without  the  toil  and 
travail  of  the  climbing. 

But  equity  demandeth  recompense ; for  high-place,  calumny 
and  care  ; 

For  state,  comfortless  splendor  eating  out  the  heart  of  home ; 

For  warrior  fame,  dangers  and  death ; for  a name  among  the 
learned,  a spirit  overstrained  ; 

For  honor  of  all  kinds,  the  goad  of  ambition;  on  every 
acquirement,  the  tax  of  anxiety. 

He  that  would  change  with  another,  must  take  the  cup  as  it 
is  mixed : 

Poverty,  with  largeness  of  heart : or  a full  purse,  with  a 
sordid  spirit : 

Wisdom,  in  an  ailing  body ; or  a common  mind  with  health: 

Godliness,  with  man’s  scorn  ; or  the  welcome  of  the  mighty, 
with  guilt : 

Beauty,  with  a fickle  heart ; or  plainness  of  face,  with 
affection. 


series  i.J  OF  COMPENSATION.  25 

For  so  hath  Providence  determined,  that  a man  shall  not 
easily  discover 

Unmingled  good  or  evil,  to  quicken  his  envy  or  abhorrence. 

A bold  man  or  a fool  must  he  be,  who  would  change  his  lot 
with  another, 

It  were  a fearful  bargain,  and  mercy  hath  lovingly  refused  it: 

For  we  know  the  worst  of  ourselves,  but  the  secrets  of  another 
we  see  not, 

And  better  is  certain  bad,  than  the  doubt  and  dread  of  worse. 

Just,  and  strong,  and  opportune  is  the  moral  rule  of  God ; 

Ripe  in  its  times,  firm  in  its  judgments,  equal  in  the  measure 
of  its  gifts : 

Yet  men,  scanning  the  surface,  count  the  wicked  happy, 

Nor  heed  the  compensating  peace,  which  gladdeneth  the 
good  in  his  afflictions. 

They  see  not  the  frightful  dreams  that  crowd  a bad  man’s 
pillow, 

Like  wreathed  adders  crawling  round  his  midnight  conscience; 

They  hear  not  the  terrible  suggestions,  that  knock  at  the 
portal  of  his  will, 

Provoking  to  wipe  away  from  life  the  one  weak  witness  of 
the  deed ; 

They  know  not  the  torturing  suspicions  that  sting  his  panting 
breast, 

When  the  clear  eye  of  penetration  quietly  readeth  off  the  truth. 

Likewise  of  the  good  what  know  they  ? the  memories 
bringing  pleasure, 

Shrined  in  the  heart  of  the  benevolent,  and  glistening  from 
his  eye  ; 

The  calm  self-justifying  reason  that  establisheth  the  upright 
in  his  purpose, 

The  warm  and  gushing  bliss  that  floodeth  all  the  thoughts 
of  the  religious ; 

Many  a beggar  at  the  cross-way,  or  grey-haired  shepherd  on 
the  plain, 


3 


26  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Hath  more  of  the  end  of  all  wealth,  than  huadreds  who 
multiply  the  means. 

Moreover,  a moral  compensation  reacheth  to  the  secresy  of 
thought, 

For  if  thou  wilt  think  evil  of  thy  neighbor,  soon  shalt  thou 
have  him  for  thy  foe : 

And  yet  he  may  know  nothing  of  the  cause  that  maketh  thee 
distasteful  to  his  soul, — 

The  cause  of  unkind  suspicion,  for  which  thou  hast  thy 
punishment ; 

And  if  thou  thinic  ot  him  in  charity,  wishing  or  praying  for 
his  weal, 

He  shall  not  guess  the  secret  charm  that  lureth  his  soul  to 
love  thee. 

For  just  is  retributive  ubiquity : Samson  did  sin  with  Dalilah, 

And  his  eyes  and  captive  strength  were  forfeit  to  the 
Philistine : 

Jacob  robbed  his  brother,  and  sorrow  was  his  portion  to  the 
grave : 

David  must  fly  before  his  foes,  yea,  though  his  guilt  is  covered : ' 

And  He,  who  seeming  old  in  youth,  (6)  was  marred  for  others’ 
sin, 

For  every  special  crime  must  bear  its  special  penalty : 

By  luxury,  or  rashness,  or  vice,  the  member  that  hath  erred 
suflereth, 

And  therefore  the  Sacrifice  for  all  was  pained  at  every  pore. 

Alike  to  the  slave  and  his  oppressor  cometh  night  with 
sweet  refreshment, 

And  half  of  the  life  of  the  most  wretched  is  gladdened  by  the 
soothings  of  sleep. 

Pain  addeth  zest  unto  pleasure,  and  teacheth  the  luxury  of 
health  ; 

There  is  a joy  in  sorrow,  which  none  but  a mourner  can  know ; 

Madness  hath  imaginary  bliss,  and  most  men  have  no  more ; 


series  i.J  OF  INDIRECT  INFLUENCES. 


27 


Age  hath  its  quiet  calm,  and  youth  enjoyeth  not  for  haste: 

Daily,  in  the  midst  of  its  beatitude,  the  righteous  soul  is  vexed ; 

And  even  the  misery  of  guilt  doth  attain  to  the  bliss  of  pardon. 

Who,  in  the  face  of  the  born-blind,  ever  looked  on  other  than 
content  ? 

And  the  deaf  ear  listeneth  within  to  the  silent  music  of  the 
heart. 

There  is  evil  poured  upon  the  earth  from  the  overflowings 
of  corruption, — 

Sickness,  and  poverty,  and  pain,  and  guilt,  and  madness,  and 
sorrow ; 

But,  as  the  water  from  a fountain  riseth  and  sinketh  to  its  level, 

Ceaselessly  toileth  justice  to  equalize  the  lots  of  men : 

For,  habit,  and  hope,  and  ignorance,  and  the  being  but  one 
of  a multitude, 

And  strength  of  reason  in  the  sage,  and  dullness  of  feeling  in 
the  fool, 

And  the  light  elasticity  of  courage,  and  the  calm  resignation 
of  meekness, 

And  the  stout  endurance  of  decision,  and  the  weak  carelessness 
of  apathy, 

And  helps  invisible  but  real,  and  ministerings  not  unfelt, 

Angelic  aid  with  worldly  discomfiture,  bodily  loss  with  the 
soul’s  gain, 

Secret  griefs,  and  silent  joys,  thorns  in  the  flesh,  and  cordials 
for  the  spirit 

( — Short  of  the  insuperable  barrier  dividing  innocence  from 
guilt,—), 

Go  far  to  level  all  things,  by  the  gracious  rule  of  Compensation. 


OF  INDIRECT  INFLUENCES. 

Face  thy  foe  in  the  field,  and  perchance  thou  wilt  meet  thy 
master, 


23  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

For  tho  sword  is  chained  to  his  wrist,  and  his  armor  buckled 
for  the  battle ; 

But  find  him  when  he  looketh  not  for  thee,  aim  between  the 
joints  of  his  harness, 

And  the  crest  of  his  pride  will  be  humbled,  his  cruelty  will 
bite  the  dust. 

Beard  not  a lion  in  his  den,  but  fashion  the  secret  pitfall, 

So  shalt  thou  conquer  the  strong,  thyself  triumphing  in  weak- 
ness 

The  hurricane  rageth  fiercely,  and  the  promontory  standeth 
in  its  might, 

Breasting  the  artillery  of  heaven,  as  darts  glance  from  the 
crocodile : 

But  the  small  continual  creeping  of  the  silent  footsteps  of  the 
sea 

Mineth  the  wall  of  adamant,  and  stealthily  compasseth  its  ruin. 

The  weakness  of  accident  is  strong,  where  the  strength  of 
design  is  weak : 

And  a casual  analogy  convinceth,  when  a mind  beareth  not 
argument. 

Will  not  a man  listen  ? be  silent ; and  prove  thy  maxim  by 
example : 

Never  fear,  thou  iosest  not  thy  hold,  though  thy  mouth  doth 
not  render  a reason. 

Contend  not  in  wisdom  with  a fool,  for  thy  sense  maketh 
much  of  his  conceit ; 

And  some  errors  never  would  have  thriven,  had  it  not  been 
for  learned  refutation  * 

Yea,  much  evil  hath  been  caused  by  an  honest  wrestler  for 
truth. 

And  much  of  unconscious  good,  by  the  man  that  hated  wis- 
dom : 

For  the  intellect  judgeth  closely,  and  if  thou  overstep  thy  ar- 
gument, 

Or  seem  not  consistent  with  thyself,  or  fail  in  thy  direct  pur- 
pose, 


series  i.J  OF  INDIRECT  INFLUENCES. 


29 


The  mind  that  went  along  with  thee,  shall  stop  and  return 
without  thee, 

And  thou  shalt  have  raised  a foe,  where  thou  mightest  have 
won  a friend. 

Hints,  shrewdly  strewn,  mightily  disturb  the  spirit, 

Where  a barefaced  accusation  would  be  too  ridiculous  for 
calumny : 

The  sly  suggestion  toucheth  nerves,  and  nerves  contract  the 
fronds, 

And  the  sensitive  mimosa  of  affection  trembleth  to  its  root; 
And  friendships,  the  growth  of  half  a century,  those  oaks 
that  laugh  at  storms, 

Have  been  cankered  in  a night  by  a worm,  even  as  the  pro- 
phet’s gourd. 

Hast  thou  loved,  and  not  known  jealousy  7 for  a sidelong  look 
Can  please  or  pain  thy  heart  more  than  the  multitude  of 
proofs ; 

Hast  thou  hated,  and  not  learned  that  thy  silent  scorn 
Doth  deeper  aggravate  thy  foe  than  loud-cursing  malice  7 — 

A wise  man  prevaileth  in  power,  for  he  screeneth  his  batter- 
ing engine, 

But  a fool  tilteth  headlong,  and  his  adversary  is  aware. 

Behold  those  broken  arches,  that  oriel  all  unglazed, 

That  crippled  line  of  columns  bleaching  in  the  sun, 

The  delicate  shaft  stricken  midway,  and  the  flying  buttress 
Idly  stretching  forth  to  hold  up  tufted  ivy : 

Thinkest  thou  the  thousand  eyes  that  shine  with  rapture  on 
a ruin, 

Would  have  looked  with  half  their  wonder  on  the  perfect 
pile  7 

And  wherefore  not — but  that  light  hints,  suggesting  unseen 
beauties, 

Fill  the  complacent  gazer  with  self-grown  conceits ; 

And  so,  the  rapid  sketch  winneth  more  praise  to  the  painter, 


30  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Than  the  consummate  work  elaborated  on  his  easel ; 

And  so,  the  Helvetic  lion  caverned  in  the  living  rock 
Hath  more  of  majesty  and  force,  than  if  upon  a marble  pedes- 
tal. 

Tell  me,  daughter  of  taste,  what  hath  charmed  thine  ear  in 
music  ? 

Is  it  the  labored  theme,  the  curious  fugue  or  cento, — 

Nor  rather  the  sparkles  of  intelligence  flashing  from  some 
strange  note, 

Or  the  soft  melody  of  sounds  far  sweeter  for  simplicity  ? 

Tell  me,  thou  son  of  science,  what  hath  filled  thy  mind  in 
reading  ? 

Is  it  the  volume  of  detail  where  all  is  orderly  set  down, 

And  they  that  read  may  run,  nor  need  to  stop  and  think ; 

The  book  carefully  accurate,  that  counteth  thee  no  better 
than  a fool, 

Gorging  the  passive  mind  with  annotated  notes ; — 

Nor  rather  the  half-suggested  thoughts,  the  riddles  thou  mayst 
solve, 

The  fair  ideas,  coyly  peeping  like  young  loves  out  of  roses, 
The  quaint  arabesque  conceptions,  half  cherub  and  half 
flower, 

The  light  analogy,  or  deep  allusion,  trusted  to  thy  learning, 
The  confidence  implied  in  thy  skill  to  unravel  meaning  mys- 
teries 7 

For  ideas  are  ofttimes  shy  of  the  close  furniture  of  words, 
And  thought  wherein  only  is  power,  may  be  best  conveyed 
by  a suggestion : 

The  flash  that  lighteth  up  a valley,  amid  the  dark  midnight 
of  a storm, 

Coinelh  the  mind  with  that  scene  sharper  than  fifty  sum- 
mers. , 

A worldly  man  boasteth  in  his  pride,  that  there  is  no  power 
but  of  money : 


series  i.J  OF  INDIRECT  INFLUENCES.  31 

And  he  judgeth  the  characters  of  men  by  the  differing  mea- 
sures of  their  means : 

He  stealeth  all  goodly  names,  as  worth,  and  value,  and  sub- 
stance, 

Which  be  the  ancient  heritage  of  Virtue,  but  such  an  one 
ascribeth  unto  Wealth : 

He  spurneth  the  needy  sage,  whose  wisdom  hath  enriched 
nations, 

And  the  sons  of  poverty  and  learning,  without  whom  earth 
were  a desert : 

Music,  the  soother  of  cares,  the  tuner  of  the  dank  discordant 
heart-strings, 

It  is  naught  unto  such  an  one  but  sounds,  whereby  some 
earn  their  living : 

The  poem,  and  the  picture,  and  the  statue,  to  him  seem  idle 
baubles, 

Which  wealth  condescendeth  to  favor,  to  gain  him  the  name 
of  patron. 

But  little  wotteth  he  the  might  of  the  means  his  folly  de- 
spiseth ; 

He  considereth  not  that  these  be  the  wires  which  move  the 
puppets  of  the  world. 

A sentence  hath  formed  a character,  (7)  and  a character  sub- 
dued a kingdom ; 

A picture  hath  ruined  souls,  or  raised  them  to  commerce 
with  the  skies : 

The  pen  hath  shaken  nations,  and  stablished  the  world  in 
peace ; 

And  the  whole  full  horn  of  plenty  been  filled  from  the  vial  of 
science. 

He  regardeth  man  as  sensual,  the  monarch  of  created  mat- 
ter, 

And  careth  not  aught  for  mind,  that  linketh  him  with  spirits 
unseen : 

He  feedeth  his  carcase  and  is  glad,  though  his  soul  be  faint 
and  famished, 


32  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  the  dull  brute  power  of  the  body  bindeth  him  a captive 
to  himself. 

Man  liveth  from  hour  to  hour,  and  knoweth  not  what  may 
happen ; 

Influences  circle  him  on  all  sides,  and  yet  must  he  answer 
for  his  actions. 

For  the  being  that  is  master  of  himself,  bendeth  events  to  his 
will, 

But  a slave  to  selfish  passion  is  the  wavering  creature  of 
circumstance. 

To  this  man  temptation  is  a poison,  to  that  man  it  addeth 
vigor ; 

And  each  may  render  to  himself  influences  good  or  evil. 

As  thou  directest  the  power,  harm  or  advantage  will  follow, 

And  the  torrent  that  sWept  the  valley,  may  be  led  to  turn  a 
mill ; 

The  wild  electric  flash,  that  could  have  kindled  comets, 

May  by  the  ductile  wire  give  ease  to  an  ailing  child. 

For  outward  matter  or  event,  fashion  not  the  character  within, 

But  each  man,  yielding  or  resisting,  fashioneth  his  mind  for 
himself. 

Some  have  said,  What  is  in  a name  1 — most  potent  plastic 
influence ; 

A name  is  a word  of  character,  and  repetition  stablisheth 
the  fact : 

A word  of  rebuke,  or  of  honor,  tending  to  obscurity  or  fame  ; 

And  greatest  is  the  power  of  a name,  when  its  power  is  least 
suspected. 

A low  name  is  a thorn  In  the  side,  that  hindereth  the  foot 
man  in  his  running  ; 

But  a name  of  ancestral  renown  shall  often  put  the  racer  to 
his  speed. 

Few  men  have  grown  unto  greatness  whose  names  are  allied 
to  ridicule, 


OF  MEMORY. 


SERIES  I.] 


33 


And  many  would  never  have  been  profligate,  but  for  the 
splendor  of  a name. 

A wise  man  scorneth  nothing,  be  it  never  so  small  or  homely, 

For  he  knoweth  not  the  secret  laws  that  may  bind  it  to  great 
effects. 

The  world  in  its  boyhood  was  credulous,  and  dreaded  the 
vengeance  of  the  stars, 

The  world  in  its  dotage  is  not  wiser,  fearing  not  the  influence 
of  small  things ; 

Planets  govern  not  the  soul,  nor  guide  the  destinies  of  man, 

But  trifles,  lighter  than  straws,  are  levers  in  the  building  up 
of  character. 

A man  hath  the  tiller  in  his  hand,  and  may  steer  against  the 
current, 

Or  may  glide  down  idly  with  the  stream,  till  his  vessel  foun- 
der in  the  whirlpool. 


K OF  MEMORY. 

Where  art  thou,  storehouse  of  the  mind,  garner  of  facts  and 
fancies, — 

In  what  strange  firmament  are  laid  the  beams  of  thine  airy 
chambers  7 

Or  art  thou  that  small  cavern,  (8)  the  centre  of  the  rolling 
brain, 

Where  still  one  sandy  morsel  testifieth  man’s  original  7 

Or  hast  thou  some  grand  globe,  some  common  hall  of  intel- 
lect, 

Some  spacious  market-place  for  thought,  where  all  do  bring 
their  wares, 

And  gladly  rescued  from  the  littleness,  the  narrow  closet  of  a 
self, 

The  privileged  soul  hath  large  access,  coming  in  the  livery  of 
learning  1 

Live  we  as  isolated  worlds,  perfect  in  substance  and  spirit, 


34  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Each  a sphere,  with  a special  mind,  prisoned  in  its  shell  of 
matter  7 

Or  rather,  as  converging  radiations,  parts  of  ome  majestic 
whole, 

Beams  of  the  Sun,  streams  from  the  River,  branches  of  the 
hiighty  Tree, 

Some  bearing  fruit,  some  bearing  leaves,  and  some  diseased 
and  barren, — 

Some  for  the  feast,  some  for  the  floor,  and  some, — how  many, 
— for  the  fire  7 

Memory  may  be  but  a power  of  coming  to  the  treasury  of  Fact, 

A momentary  self-desertion,  an  absence  in  spirit  from  the  now, 

An  actual  coursing  hither  and  thither,  by  the  mind,  slipped 
from  its  leash. 

A life,  as  in  the  mystery  of  dreams,  spent  within  the  limits 
of  a moment. 

A brutish  man  knoweth  not  this,  neither  can  a fool  compre- 
hend it, 

But  there  be  secrets  of  the  memory,  deep,  wondrous,  and 
fearful. 

Were  I at  Petra,  could  I not  declare,  My  soul  hath  been  here 
before  me  7 

Am  I strange  to  the  columned  halls,  the  calm  dead  grandeur 
of  Palmyra  7 

Know  I not  thy  mount,  O Carmel ! Have  I not  voyaged  on 
the  Danube  7 

Nor  seen  the  glare  of  Arctic  snows, — nor  the  black  tents  of 
the  Tartar  7 

Is  it  then  a dream,  that  I remember  the  faces  of  them  of  old, 

While  wandering  in  the  grove  with  Plato,  and  listening  to 
Zeno  in  the  porch  7 

Paul  have  I seen,  and  Pythagoras,  and  the  Stagyrite  hath 
spoken  me  friendly, 

And  His  meek  eye  looked  also  upon  me,  standing  with  Peter 
in  the  palace. 


series  i.]  OF  MEMORY.  35 

Athens  and  Rome,  Persepolis  and  Sparta,  am  I not  a freeman 
of  you  all  1 

And  chiefly  can  my  yearning  heart  forget  thee.  O Jerusalem  ? 

For  the  strong  magic  of  conception,  mingled  with  the  fumes 
of  memory, 

Giveth  me  a life  in  all  past  time,  yea,  and  addeth  substance 
to  the  future. 

Be  ye  my  judges,  imaginative  minds,  full-fledged  to  soar  into 
the  sun, 

Whose  grosser  natural  thoughts  the  chemistry  of  wisdom 
hath  sublimed, 

Have  ye  not  confessed  to  a feeling,  a consciousness,  strange 
and  vague, 

That  ye  have  gone  this  way  before,  and  walk  again  your 
daily  life, 

Tracking  an  old  routine,  and  on  some  foreign  strand, 

Where  bodily  ye  have  never  stood,  finding  your  own  foot- 
steps 1 

Hath  not  at  times  some  recent  friend  looked  out  an  old  familiar, 

Some  newest  circumstance  or  place  teemed  as  with  ancient 
memories : 

A startling  sudden  flash  lighted  up  all  for  an  instant, 

And  the)n  it  is  quenched,  as  in  darkness,  and  leaveth  the  cold 
spirit  trembling. 

Memory  is  not  wisdom ; idiots  can  rote  volumes  : 

Yet,  what  is  wisdom  without  memory  1 a babe  that  is  stran- 
gled in  its  birth, 

The  path  of  the  swallow  in  the  air,  the  path  of  the  dolphin  in 
the  waters, 

A cask  running  out,  a bottomless  #chasm : such  is  wisdom 
without  memory. 

There  be  many  wise,  who  cannot  store  their  knowledge  ; 

Yet  from  themselves  are  they  satisfied,  for  the  fountain  is 
within : 

There  be  many  who  store,  but  have  no  wisdom  of  their  own, 




36  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Lumbering  their  armory  with  weapons  their  muscles  cannot 
lift: 

There  be  many  thieves  and  robbers,  who  gleam  and  store 
unlawfully, 

Calling  in  to  memory’s  help  some  cunningly  devised  Cabala : 
But  to  feed  the  mind  with  fatness,  to  fill  thy  granary  with  corn, 
Nor  clog  with  chaff  and  straw  the  threshing-floor  of  reason, 
Reap  the  ideas,  and  house  them  well ; but  leave  the  words 
high  stubble. 

Strive  to  store  up  what  was  thought,  despising  what  was  said. 
For  the  mind  is  a spirit,  and  drinketh  in  ideas,  as  flame  melt- 
eth  into  flame  ; 

But  for  words,  it  must  pack  them  as  on  floors,  cumbrous  and 
perishable  merchandise, 

To  be  pained  for  a minute,  to  fear  for  an  hour,  to  hope  for  a 
week — how  long  and  weary ! 

But  to  remember  fourscore  years,  is  to  look  back  upon  a day. 
An  avenue  seemeth  to  lengthen  in  the  eyes  of  the  wayfaring 
man, 

But  let  him  turn,  those  stationed  elms  crowd  up  within  a 
yard; 

Pace  the  lamp-lit  streets  of  some  sleeping  city, 

The  multitude  of  cressets  shall  seem  one,  in  the  false  picture 
of  perspective ; 

Even  so,  in  sweet  treachery,  dealeth  the  aged  with  self, 

He  gazeth  on  the  green  hill-tops,  while  the  marshes  beneath 
are  hidden, 

And  the  partial  telescope  of  memory  pierceth  the  blank  be 
tween, 

To  look  with  lingering  love  at  the  fair  star  of  childhood. 

Life  is  as  the  current  spark  on  the  miner’s  wheel  of  flints  : 
Whiles  it  spinneth  there#is  light ; stop  it,  all  is  darkness : 
Life  is  as  a morsel  of  frankincense  burning  in  the  hall  of  Eter- 
nity ; 

It  is  gone,  but  its  odorous  cloud  curleth  to  the  lofty  roof! 

Life  is  as  a lump  of  salt,  melting  in  the  temple-laver ; 


I 

series  i.]  THE  DREAM  OF  AMBITION.  37 

It  is  gone, — yet  its  savor  reacheth  to  the  furthest  atom  ; 

Even  so,  for  evil  or  for  good,  is  life  the  criterion  of  a man, 

For  its  memories  of  sanctity  or  sin  pervade  all  the  firmament 
of  being. 

There  is  but  the  flitting  moment,  wherein  to  hope  or  to  enjoy, 
But  in  the  calendar  of  memory,  that  moment  is  all  time. 


THE  DREAM  OF  AMBITION. 

♦ 

I left  the  happy  fields  that  smile  around  the  village  of 
Content, 

And  sought  with  wayward  feet  the  torrid  desert  of  Ambition. 

Long  time,  parched  and  weary,  I travelled  that  burning  sand, 

And  the  hooded  basilisk  and  adder  were  strewed  in  my  way 
for  palms ; 

Black  scorpions  thronged  me  round,  with  sharp  uplifted 
stings, 

Seeming  to  mock  me  as  I ran  (then  I guessed  it  was  a 
dream, — 

But  life  is  oft  so  like  a dream,  we  know  not  where  we  are). 

So  I toiled  on,  doubting  in  myself,  up  a steep  gravel  clifF, 

Whose  yellow  summit  shot  up  far  into  the  brazen  sky ; 

And  quickly,  I was  wafted  to  the  top,  as  upon  unseen  wings, 

Carrying  me  upward  like  a leaf  (then  I thought  it  was  a 
dream, — 

Yet  life  is  oft  so  like  a dream,  we  know  not  where  we  are) ; 

So  I stood  on  the  mountain,  and  behold ! before  me  a giant 
pyramid, 

And  I clomb  with  eager  haste  its  high  and  difficult  steps ; 

For,  I* longed,  like  another  Belus,  to  mount  up,  yea  to  heaven, 

Nor  sought  I rest  until  my  feet  had  spurned.the  crest  of  earth. 

Then  I sat  on  my  granite  throne  under  the  burning  sun, 

And  the  world  lay  smiling  beneath  me,  but  I was  wrapt  in 
flames 


4 


38  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

(And  I hoped,  in  glimmering  consciousness,  that  all  this 
torture  was  a dream, — 

Yet  life  is  oft  so  like  a dream,  we  know  not  where  we  are). 
And  anon,  as  I sat  scorching,  the  pyramid  shuddered  to  its 
root, 

And  I felt  the  quarried  mass  leap  from  its  sand  foundations : 
Awhile  it  tottered  and  tilted,  as  raised  by  invisible  levers — 
(And  now  my  reason  spake  with  me  ; I knew  it  was  a dream ; 
Yet  I hushed  that  whisper  into  silence,  for  I hoped  to  learn 
of  wisdom, 

By  tracking  up  my  truant  thoughts,  whereunto  they  might 
lead). 

And  suddenly,  as  rolling  upon  wheels,  adown  the  cliff  it 
rushed, 

And  I thought,  in  my  hot  brain,  of  the  Muscovites’  icy  slope ; 
A thousand  yards  in  a moment  we  ploughed  the  sandy  seas, 
And  crushed  those  happy  fields,  and  that  smiling  village, 

As  onward,  as  a living  thing,  still  rushed  my  mighty  throne, 
Thundering  along,  and  pounding,  as  it  went,  the  millions  in 
my  way ; 

Before  me  all  was  life,  and  joy,  and  full-blown  summer, 
Behind  me  death  and  woe,  the  desert  and  simoom. 

Then  I wept  and  shrieked  aloud,  for  pity  and  for  fear; 

But  might  not  stop,  for,  comet-like,  flew  on  the  maddened 
mass 

Over  the  crashing  cities,  and  falling  obelisks  and  towers, 

And  columns,  razed  as  by  a scythe,  and  high  domes,  shivered 
as  an  egg-shell, 

And  deep  embattled  ranks,  and  women,  crowded  in  the  streets, 
And  children,  kneeling  as  for  mercy,  and  all  I had  ever  loved, 
Yea,  over  all,  mine  awful  throne  rushed  on  with  seeming 
instinct, 

And  over  the  crackling  forests,  and  over  the  rugged  beach, 
And  on  with  a terrible  hiss  through  the  forming  wild  Atlantic 
That  ro.ired  around  me  as  I sat,  but  could  not  quench  my 
spirit, — 


series  i.J  OF  SUBJECTION.  39 

Still  on,  through  startled  solitudes  we  shattered  the  pavement 
of  the  sea, 

Down,  down,  to  that  central  vault,  the  bolted  doors  of  hell, 

And  these,  with  horrid  shock,  my  huge  throne  battered  in, 

And  on  to  the  deepest  deep,  where  the  fierce  flames  were 
hottest, 

Blazing  tenfold  as  conquering  furiously  the  seas  that  rushed 
in  with  me, — 

And  there  I stopped : and  a fearful  voice  shouted  in  mine 
ear, 

“ Behold  the  home  of  Discontent ; behold  the  rest  of  Ambi- 
tion!” 

OF  SUBJECTION. 

Law  hath  dominion  over  all  things,  over  universal  mind  and 
matter ; 

For  there  are  reciprocities  of  right,  which  no  creature  can 
gainsay. 

Unto  each  was  there  added  by  its  Maker,  in  the  perfect  chain 
of  being, 

Dependencies  and  sustentations,  accidents,  and  qualities,  and 
powers : 

And  each  must  fly  forward  in  the  curve,  unto  which  it  was 
forced  from  the  beginning ; 

Each  must  attract  and  repel,  or  the  monarchy  of  Order  is  no 
more. 

Laws  are  essential  emanations  from  the  self-poised  character 
of  God, 

And  they  radiate  from  that  sun,  to  the  circling  edges  of 
creation. 

Verily,  the  mighty  Lawgiver  hath  subjected  Himself  unto 
laws, 

And  God  is  the  primal  grand  example  of  free  unstrained  obe- 
dience : 


40  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

His  perfection  is  limited  by  right,  and  cannot  trespass  into 
wrong, 

Because  He  hath  established  Himself  as  the  fountain  of  only 
good, 

And  in  thus  much  is  bounded,  that  the  evil  hath  he  left  unto 
another, 

And  that  dark  other  hath  usurped  the  evil  which  Omnipo- 
tence laid  down. 

Unto  God  there  exist  impossibilities ; for  the  True  One  can- 
not lib, 

Nor  the  Wise  One  wander  from  the  track  which  he  hath 
determined  for  himself : 

For  his  will  was  purposed  from  eternity,  strong  in  the  love  of 
order ; 

And  that  will  altereth  not,  as  the  law  of  the  Medes  and  Per- 
sians. 

God  is  the  origin  of  order,  and  the  first  exemplar  of  his  precept ; 

For  there  is  subordination  of  his  Essence,  self-guided  unto 
holiness ; 

And  there  is  subordination  of  his  Persons,  in  due  procession 
of  dignity ; 

For  the  Son,  as  a son,  is  subject ; and  to  him  doth  the  Spirit 
minister ; 

But  these  things  be  mysteries  to  man,  he  cannot  reach  nor 
fathom  them, 

And  ever  must  he  speak  in  paradox,  when  laboring  to  ex- 
pound his  God, 

For,  behold,  God  is  Alone,  mighty  in  unshackled  freedom ; 

And  with  those  wondrous  Persons  abideth  eternal  equality. 

So  then,  start  ye  from  the  fountain,  and  follow  the  river  of 
existence, 

For  its  current  is  bounded  throughout  by  the  banks  of  just 
subordination : 

Thrones,  and  dominions,  and  powers,  Archangels,  Cherubim, 
and  Seraphim, 


series  i.J  OF  SUBJECTION.  41 

Angels,  and  flaming  ministers,  and  breathing  chariots  and 
harps. 

For  there  are  degrees  in  heaven,  and  varied  capabilities  of 
bliss, 

And  steps  in  the  ladder  of  Intelligence,  and  ranks  in  ap- 
proaches to  Perfection : 

Doubtless,  reverence  is  given,  as  their  due,  to  the  masters  in 
wisdom ; 

Doubtless,  there  are  who  serve ; or  a throne  would  have 
small  glory. 

Regard  now  the  universe  of  matter,  the  substance  of  visible 
creation, 

Which  of  old,  with  well-observing  truth,  the  Greek  hath 
sur named  Order  : (9) 

Where  is  there  an  atom  out  of  place  1 or  a particle  that 
yieldeth  not  obedience  1 

Where  is  there  a fragment  that  is  free  1 or  one  thing  the 
equal  of  another  1 

The  chain  is  unbroken  down  to  man,  and  beyond  him  the 
links  are  perfect : 

But  he  standeth  solitary  sin,  a marvel  of  permitted  chaos. 

And  shall  this  seeming  error  in  the  scale  of  due  subordination 

Be  a spot  of  desert  unreclaimed,  in  the  midst  of  the  vineyard 
of  the  Lord  1 

Shall  his  presumptuous  pride  snap  the  safe  tether  of  con- 
nexion, 

And  his  blind  selfish  folly  refuse  the  burden  of  maintenance  ? 

O man,  thou  art  a creature ; boast  not  thyself  above  the  law : 

Think  not  of  thyself  as  free  : thou  art  bound  in  the  trammels 
of  dependence, 

What  is  the  sum  of  thy  duty,  but  obedience  to  righteous  rule, 

To  the  great  commanding  oracle,  uttered  by  delegated  organs  ? 

Thou  canst  not  render  homage  to  abstract  Omnipresent  power, 

Save  through  the  concrete  symbol  of  visible  ordained  au- 
thority. 


4* 


42  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Those  who  obey  not  man,  are  oftenest  found  rebels  against 
God: 

And  seldom  is  the  delegate  so  bold,  as  to  order  what  he 
knoweth  to  be  wrong. 

Yet  mark  me,  proud  gainsayer ! I say  not,  obey  unto  sin  ; 

But,  where  the  Principal  is  silent,  take  heed  thou  despise 
not  the  Deputy : 

And  he  that  loveth  order  will  bless  thee  for  thy  faith, 

If  thou  recognise  his  sanction  in  the  powers  that  fashion  hu- 
man laws. 

Thou,  the  vicegerent  of  the  Lord,  his  high  anointed  image, 

Toward  whom  a good  man’s  loyalty  floweth  from  the  heart 
of  his  religion, 

Thou,  whose  deep  responsibilities  are  fathomed  by  a nation’s 
prayers, 

Whom  wise  men  fear  for  while  they  love,  and  envy  thee 
nothing  but  thy  virtues, 

From  thy  dizzy  pinnacle  of  greatness,  remember  thou  also  art 
a subject, 

And  the  throne  of  thine  earthly  glory  is  itself  but  the  foot- 
stool of  thy  God. 

The  homage  thy  kingdoms  yield  thee,  regard  thou  as  yielded 
unto  Him ; 

And  while  girt  with  all  the  majesty  of  state,  consider  thee 
the  Lord’s  chief  servant ; 

So  shalt  thou  prosper,  and  be  strong,  grafted  on  the  strength 
of  another ; 

So  shall  thy  virgin  heart  be  happy,  in  being  humble. 

And  thou  shalt  flourish  as  an  oak,  the  monarch  of  thine 
island  forests, 

Whose  deep-dug  roots  are  twisted  around  the  stout  ribs  of 
the  globe, 

That  mocketh  at  the  fury  of  the  storm,  and  rejoiceth  in  sum- 
mer sunshine, 

Glad  in  the  smiles  of  heaven,  and  great  in  the  stability  of  earth. 


series  i.J  OF  SUBJECTION.  43 

A ruler  hath  not  power  for  himself,  neither  is  his  pomp  for 
his  pride ; 

But  beneath  the  ermine  of  his  office  should  he  wear  the 
rough  hair-cloth  of  humility. 

Nevertheless,  every  way  obey  him,  so  thou  break  not  a 
higher  commandment ; 

For  Nero  was  an  evil  king,  yet  Paul  prescribeth  subjection. 

If  the  rulers  of  a nation  be  holy,  the  Lord  hath  blessed  that 
nation ; 

If  they  be  lewd  and  impious,  chastisement  hath  come  upon 
that  people ; 

For  the  bitterest  scourge  of  a land  is  ungodliness  in  them 
that  govern  it, 

And  the  guilt  of  the  sons  of  Josiah  drove  Israel  weeping  into 
Babylon. 

Yet  be  thou  resolute  against  them,  if  they  change  the  man 
dates  of  thy  God, 

If  they  touch  the  ark  of  his  covenant,  wherein  all  his  mer- 
cies are  enshrined : 

Be  resolute,  but  not  rebellious  ; lest  thou  be  of  the  company 
of  Korah : 

Set  thy  face  against  them  as  a flint : but  be  not  numbered 
with  Abiram. 

Daniel  nobly  disobeyed ; but  not  from  a spirit  of  sedition  ; 

And  Azarias  shouted  from  the  furnace, — I will  not  bow  down, 

O KING. 

If  truth  must  be  sacrificed  to  unity,  then  faithfulness  were 
folly ; 

If  man  must  be  obeyed  before  God,  the  martyrs  have  bled  in 
vain : 

Yet  none  of  that  blessed  army  reviled  the  rulers  of  the 
land, 

They  were  loud  and  bold  against  the  sin,  but  bent  before  the 
ensign  of  authority. 

Honesty,  scorning  compromise,  walketh  most  suitably  with 
Reverence : 


44  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Otherwise  righteous  daring  may  show  but  as  obstinate  re- 
bellion : 

Therefore,  sutler  not  thy  censure  to  lack  the  savor  of  courtesy, 

And  remember  the  mortal  sinneth,  but  the  staff  of  his  power 
is  from  God. 

Man,  thou  hast  a social  spirit,  and  art  deeply  indebted  to  thy 
kind : 

Therefore  claim  not  all  thy  rights  ; but  yield,  for  thine  own 
advantage. 

Society  is  a chain  of  obligations,  and  its  links  must  support 
each  other : 

The  branch  cannot  but  wither,  that  is  cut  from  the  parent  vine. 

Wouldst  thou  be  a dweller  in  the  woods,  and  cast  away  the 
cords  that  bind  thee, 

Seeking,  in  thy  bitterness  or  pride,  to  be  exiled  from  thy  fellows? 

Behold,  the  beasts  shall  hunt  thee,  weak,  naked,  houseless 
outcast, 

Disease  and  Death  shall  track  thee  out,  as  bloodhounds,  in 
the  wilderness . 

Better  to  be  vilest  of  the  vile,  in  the  hated  company  of  men, 

Than  to  live  a solitary  wretch,  dreading  and  wanting  all 
things  ; 

Better  to  be  chained  to  thy  labor,  in  the  dusky  thoroughfares 
of  life, 

Than  to  reign  monarch  of  Sloth,  in  lonesome  savage  freedom 

Whence  then  cometh  the  doctrine,  that  all  should  be  equal 
and  free  ? — 

It  is  the  lie  that  crowded  hell,  when  Seraphs  flung  away 
subjection. 

No  man  is  his  neighbor’s  equal,  for  no  two  minds  are  similar, 

And  accidents,  alike  with  qualities,  have  every  shade  but 
sameness : 

The  lightest  atom  of  difference  shall  destroy  the  nice  balance 
of  equality, 


OF  SUBJECTION. 


SERIES  I.J 


45 


And  all  tilings,  from  without  and  from  within,  make  one  man 
to  differ  from  another. 

We  are  equal  and  free  ! was  the  watchword  that  spirited  the 
legions  of  Satan, 

We  are  equal  and  free  ! is  the  double  lie  that  entrappeth  to 
him  conscripts  from  earth : 

The  messengers  of  that  dark  despot  will  pander  to  thy  license 
and  thy  pride, 

And  draw  thee  from  the  crowd  where  thou  art  safe,  to  seize 
thee  in  the  solitary  desert. 

Woe  unto  him  whose  heart  the  syren  song  of  Liberty  hath 
charmed ; 

Woe  unto  him  whose  mind  is  bewitched  by  her  treacherous 
beauty ; 

In  mad  zeal  flingeth  he  away  the  fetters  of  duty  and  restraint, 

And  yieldeth  up  the  holocaust  of  self  to  that  fair  idol  of  the 
Damned. 

No  man  hath  freedom  in  aught  save  in  that  from  which  the 
wicked  would  be  hindered, 

He  is  free  toward  God  and  good ; but  to  all  else  a bondman. 


Thou  art  in  a middle  sphere,  to  render  and  receive  honor, 

If  thy  king  commandeth,  obey ; and  stand  not  in  the  way 
with  rebels : 

But  if  need  be,  lay  thy  hand  upon  thy  sword,  and  fear  not  to 
smite  a traitor, 

For  the  universe  acquitteth  thee  with  honor,  fighting  in  de- 
fence of  thy  king. 

If  a thief  break  thy  dwelling,  and  thou  take  him,  it  were  sin 
in  thee  to  let  him  go ; 

Yea,  though  he  pleadeth  to  thy  mercy,  thou  canst  not  spare 
him  and  be  blameless : 

For  his  guilt  is  not  only  against  thee,  it  is  not  thy  moneys  or 
thy  merchandise, 

But  he  hath  done  damage  to  the  Law,  which  duty  constrain- 
eth  thee  to  sanction. 


46  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Feast  not  thine  appetite  of  vengeance,  remembering  thou  also 
art  a man, 

But  weep  for  the  sad  compulsion,  in  which  the  chain  of 
Providence  hath  bound  thee  : 

Mercy  is  not  thine  to  give ; wilt  thou  steal  another’s  privilege  7 

Or  send  abroad  among  thy  neighbors,  a felon  whom  impunity 
hath  hardened  7 

Remember  the  Roman  father,  strong  in  his  stern  integrity, 

And  let  not  thy  slothful  self-indulgence  make  thee  a conni- 
ver  at  the  crime. 

Also,  if  the  knife  of  the  murderer  be  raised  against  thee  or 
thine, 

And  through  good  Providence  and  courage,  thou  slay  him 
that  would  have  slain  thee, 

Thou  losest  not  a tittle  of  thy  rectitude,  having  executed  sud- 
den justice ; 

Still  mayst  thou  walk  among  the  blessed,  though  thy  hands 
be  red  with  blood. 

For  thyself,  thou  art  neither  worse  nor  better ; but  thy  fel- 
lows should  count  thee  their  creditor : 

Thou  hast  manfully  protected  the  right,  and  the  right  is 
stronger  for  thy  deed. 

Also,  in  the  rescuing  of  innocence,  fear  not  to  smite  the 
ravisher ; 

What  though  he  die  at  thy  hand  7 for  a good  name  is  better 
than  the  life ; 

And  if  Phineas  had  everlasting  praise  in  the  matter  of  Salu  s 
son, 

With  how  much  greater  honor  standeth  such  a rescuer  ac- 
quitted 7 

Uphold  the  laws  of  thy  country,  and  fear  not  to  fight  in  their 
defence ; 

But  first  be  convinced  in  thy  mind : for  herein  the  doubter 
sinneth. 

Above  all  things  look  thou  well  around,  if  indeed  stern  duty 
force  thee 


series  i.j  OF  SUBJECTION.  47 

To  draw  the  sword  of  justice,  and  stain  it  with  the  slaughter 
of  thy  fellows. 

She  that  lieth  in  thy  bosom,  the  tender  wife  of  thy  affections, 

Must  obey  thee,  and  be  subject,  that  evil  drop  noton  thy  dwel- 
ling. 

The  child  that  is  used  to  constraint,  feareth  not  more  than 
he  loveth ; 

But  give  thy  son  his  way,  he  will  hate  thee  and  scorn  thee 
together. 

The  master  of  a well-ordered  home  knoweth  to  be  kind  to 
his  servants ; 

Yet  he  exacteth  reverence,  and  each  one  feareth  at  his  post. 

There  is  nothing  on  earth  so  lowly,  but  duty  giveth  it  im- 
portance ; 

No  station  so  degrading,  but  it  is  ennobled  by  obedience  : 

Yea,  break  stones  upon  the  highway,  acknowledging  the 
Lord  in  thy  lot, 

Happy  shalt  thou  be,  and  honorable,  more  than  many  chil- 
dren of  the  mighty. 

Thou  that  despisest  the  outward  forms,  beware  thou  lose  not 
the  inward  spirit; 

For  they  are  as  words  unto  ideas,  as  symbols  to  things  unseen. 

Keep  then  the  form  that  is  good  : retain,  and  do  reverence  to 
example ; 

And  in  all  things  observe  subordination,  for  that  is  the  whole 
duty  of  man. 

A horse  knoweth  his  rider,  be  he  confident  or  timid, 

And  the  fierce  spirit  of  Bucephalus  stoopeth  unto  none  but 
Alexander;  * 

The  tigress  roused  in  the  jungle  by  the  prying  spaniels  of  the 
fowler, 

Will  quail  at  the  eye  of  man,  so  he  assert  his  dignity  ; 

Nay,  the  very  ships,  those  giant  swans  breasting  .'he  mighty 
waters, 


48  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Roll  in  the  trough,  or  break  the  wave,  to  the  pilot’s  fear  or 
courage : 

How  much  more  shall  man,  discerning  the  Fountain  of  au- 
thority, 

Bow  to  superior  commands,  and  make  his  own  obeyed. 

And  yet,  in  travelling  the  world,  hast  thou  not  often  known 
A gallant  host  led  on  to  ruin  by  a feeble  Xerxes  1 
Hast  thou  not  often  seen  the  wanton  luxury  of  indolence 
Sullying  with  its  sleepy  mist  the  tarnished  crown  of  head- 
ship 1 

Alas  ! for  a thousand  fathers,  whose  indulgent  sloth 
Hath  emptied  the  vial  of  confusion  over  a thousand  homes : 
Alas ! for  the  palaces  and  hovels,  that  might  have  been  nur 
series  for  heaven, 

By  hot  intestine  broils  blighted  into  schools  for  hell: 

None  knoweth  his  place,  yet  all  refuse  to  serve, 

None  weareth  the  crown,  yet  all  usurp  the  sceptre  : 

And  perchance  some  fiercer  spirit,  of  natural  nobility  of 
mind, 

That  needed  but  the  kindness  of  constraint  to  have  grown  up 
great  and  good, 

Now, — the  rich  harvest  of  his  heart  choked  by  unweeded 
tares, — 

All  bold  to  dare  and  do,  unchecked  by  wholesome  fear, 

A scoffer  about  bigotry  and  priestcraft,  a rebel  against  govern- 
ment and  God, 

And  standard-bearer  of  the  turbulent,  leading  on  the  sons  of 
Belial, 

Such  an  one  is  king  of  that  small  state,  head  tyrant  of  the 
thirty, 

Brandishing  the  torch  of  discord  in  his  village-home : 

And  the  Amid  Eli  of  the  house,  yon  humble  parish-priest, 
Liveth  in  shame  and  sorrow,  fearing  his  own  handy-work ; 
The  mother,  heartstricken  years  a gone,  hath  dropped  into  an 
early  grave ; 

The  silent  sisters  long  to  leave  a home  they  cannot  love  ; 


OF  SUBJECTION. 


SERIES  I 1 


49 


The  brothers,  casting  off  restraint,  follow  their  wayward 
wills ; 

And  the  chance  guest,  early  departing,  blesseth  his  kind  stars, 

That  on  his  humbler  home  hath  brooded  no  domestic  curse 

Yet  is  that  curse  the  fruit ; wouldest  thou  the  root  of  the 
evil  1 

A kindness — most  unkind,  that  hath  always  spared  the  rod ; 

A weak  and  numbing  indecision  in  the  mind  that  should  be 
master ; 

A foolish  love,  pregnant  of  hate,  that  never  frowned  on  sin ; 

A moral  cowardice  of  heart  that  never  dared  command. 


A kingdom  is  a nest  of  families,  and  a family  a small  king- 
dom ; 

And  the  government  of  whole  or  part  differeth  in  nothing  but 
extent. 

The  house,  where  the  master  ruleth,  is  strong  in  united  sub- 
jection, 

And  the  only  commandment  with  promise,  being  honored,  is 
a blessing  to  that  house : 

But  and  if  he  yieldeth  up  the  reins,  it  is  weak  in  discordant 
anarchy, 

And  the  bonds  of  love  and  union  melt  away,  as  ropes  of  sand. 

The  realm,  that  is  ruled  with  vigor,  lacketh  neither  peace 
nor  glory, 

It  dreadeth  not  foes  from  without,  nor  the  sons  of  riot  from 
within : 

But  the  meanness  of  temporizing  fear  robbeth  a kingdom  of 
its  honor, 

And  the  weakness  of  indulgent  sloth  ravageth  its  bowels 
with  discord. 

The  best  of  human  governments  is  the  patriarchal  rule  ; 

The  authorized  supremacy  of  one,  the  prescriptive  subjection 
of  many : 

Therefore,  the  children  of  the  East  have  thriven  from  age  to 
age, 


50  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Obeying,  even  as  a god,  the  royal  father  of  Cathay  : 
Therefore,  to  this  our  day,  the  Rechabite  wanteth  not  a 

man,  (w) 

But  they  stand  before  the  Lord,  forsaking  not  the  mandate  of 

their  sire. 

Therefore  shall  Magog  among  nations  arise  from  his  northern 
lair, 

And  rend,  in  the  fury  of  his  power,  the  insurgent  world  be- 
neath him : 

For  the  thunderbolt  of  concentrated  strength  can  be  hurled 
by  the  will  of  one, 

While  the  dissipated  forces  of  many  are  harmless  as  summer 
lightning. 


OF  REST,  («) 

In  the  silent  watches  of  the  night,  calm  night  that  breedeth 
thoughts,  (i») 

When  the  task-weary  mind  disporteth  in  the  careless  play- 
hours  of  sleep, 

I dreamed  ; and  behold,  a valley,  green  and  sunny  and  well 
watered, 

And  thousands  moving  across  it,  thousands  and  tens  of  thou- 
sands : 

And  though  many  seemed  faint  and  toil-worn,  and  stumbled 
/ often,  and  fell, 

Yet  moved  they  on  unresting,  as  the  ever-flowing  cataract. 

Then  1 noted  adders  in  the  grass,  and  pitfalls  under  the 
flowers, 

And  chasms  ya  wned  among  the  hills,  and  the  ground  was 
cracked  and  slippery : 

But  Hope  and  her  brother  Fear  suffered  not  a foot  to  linger; 

Bright  phantoms  of  false  joys  beckoned  alluringly  forward, 

While  yelling  grisly  shapes  of  dread  came  hunting  on  be- 
hind: 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  REST. 


51 


And  ceaselessly,  like  Lapland  swarms,  that  miserable  crowd 
sped  along 

To  the  mist  involved  banks  of  a dark  and  sullen  river. 

There  saw  I,  midway  in  the  water,  standing  a giant  fisher, 

And  he  held  many  lines  in  his  hand,  and  they  called  him 
Iron  Destiny. 

So  I tracked  those  subtle  chains,  and  each  held  one  among 
the  multitude. 

Then  I understood  what  hindered,  that  they  rested  not  in 
their  path : 

For  the  fisher  had  sport  in  his  fishing,  and  drew  in  his  lines 
continually, 

And  the  new-born  babe,  and  the  aged  man,  were  dragged 
into  that  dark  river : 

And  he  pulled  all  those  myriads  along,  and  none  might  rest 
by  the  way, 

Till  many,  for  sheer  weariness,  were  eager  to  plunge  into  the 
drowning  stream. 

So  I knew  that  valley  was  Life,  and  it  sloped  to  the  waters 
of  Death. 

But  far  on  the  thither  side  spread  out  a calm  and  silent  shore, 

Where  all  was  tranquil  as  a sleep,  and  the  crowded  strand 
was  quiet : 

And  I saw  there  many  I had  known,  but  their  eyes  glared 
chillingly  upon  me, 

As  set  in  deepest  slumber  ; and  they  pressed  their  fingers  to 
their  lips. 

Then  I knew  that  shore  was  the  dwelling  of  Rest,  where 
spirits  held  their  Sabbath, 

And  it  seemed  they  would  have  told  me  much,  but  they 
might  not  break  that  silence  ; 

For  the  law  of  their  being  was  mystery : they  glided  on, 
hushing  as  they  went. 

Yet  further,  under  the  sun,  at  the  roots  of  purple  mountains, 

I noted  a blaze  of  glory,  as  the  night-fires  on  northern  skies  ; 


Ufllk&RSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
ttBRARY 


52  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  I heard  the  hum  of  joy,  as  it  were  a sea  of  melody ; 

And  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  were  millions  of  happy  crea- 
tures 

Basking  in  the  golden  light ; and  I knew  that  land  was 
Heaven. 

Then  the  hill  whereon  I stood  split  asunder,  and  a crater 
yawned  at  my  feet, 

Black  and  deep  and  dreadful,  fenced  round  with  ragged 
rocks , 

Dimly  was  the  darkness  lit  up  by  spires  of  distant  flame  : 

And  I saw  below  a moving  mass  of  life,  like  reptiles  bred  in 
corruption, 

Where  all  was  terrible  unrest,  shrieks  and  groans  and  thun- 
der. 

So  I woke,  and  I thought  upon  my  dream  ; for  it  seemed  of 
wisdom’s  ministration. 

What  man  is  he  that  findeth  rest,  though  he  hunt  for  it  year 
after  year  1 

As  a child  he  had  not  yet  been  wearied,  and  cared  not  then 
to  court  it ; 

As  a youth  he  loved  not  to  be  quiet,  for  excitement  spurred 
him  into  strife  ; 

As  a man  he  tracketh  rest  in  vain,  toiling  pa  infully  to  catch  it, 

But  still  is  he  pulled  from  the  pursuit,  by  the  strong  compul- 
sion of  his  fate ; 

So  he  hopeth  to  have  peace  in  old  age,  as  he  cannot  rest  in 
manhood, 

But  troubles  thicken  with  his  years,  till  Death  hath  dodged 
him  to  the  grave. 

There  remaineth  a rest  for  the  spirit  on  the  shadowy  side  of 
life ; 

But  unto  this  world’s  pilgrim  no  rest  for  the  sole  of  his  foot. 

Ever,  from  stage  to  stage,  he  travelleth  wearily  forward, 

And  though  he  pluck  flowers  by  the  way,  he  may  not  sleep 
among  the  flowers. 


OF  HUMILITY. 


53 


SERIES  I.J 

Mind  is  the  perpetual  motion  ; for  it  is  a running  stream 

From  an  unfathomable  source,  the  depth  of  the  divine  Intel- 
ligence : 

And  though  it  be  stopped  in  its  flowing,  yet  hath  it  a current 
within, 

The  surface  may  sleep  unruffled,  but  underneath  are  whirl- 
pools of  contention. 

Seekest  thou  rest,  O mortal  1 — seek  it  no  more  on  earth, 

For  destiny  will  not  cease  from  dragging  thee  through  the 
rough  wilderness  of  life  ; 

Seekest  thou  rest,  O immortal  1 — hope  not  to  find  it  in  Hea- 
ven, 

For  sloth  yieldeth  not  happiness  : the  bliss  of  a spirit  is  ac 
tion. 

Rest  dwelleth  only  on  an  island  in  the  midst  of  the  ocean  of 
existence, 

Where  the  world-weary  soul  for  a while  may  fold  its  tired 
wings, 

Until,  after  short  sufficient  slumber,  it  is  quickened  unto 
deathless  energy, 

And  speedeth  in  eagle-flight  to  the  Sun  of  unapproachable 
perfection. 


OF  HUMILITY. 

Vice  is  grown  aweary  of  her  gawds,  and  donneth  russet  gar- 
ments, 

Loving  for  change  to  walk  as  a nun,  beneath  a molest  veil : 

For  Pride  hath  noted  how  all  admire  the  fairness  of  Humility, 

And  to  clutch  the  praise  he  coveteth,  is  content  to  be  drest  in 
hair-cloth ; 

And  wily  Lust  tempteth  the  young  heart,  that  is  proof 
against  the  bravery  of  harlots, 

With  timid  tears  and  retiring  looks  of  an  artless  seeming 
maid ; 


5* 


54  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  indolent  Apathy,  sleepily  ashamed  of  his  dull  lack-lustre 
face, 

Is  glad  of  the  livery  of  meekness,  that  charitable  cloak  and 
cowl; 

And  Hatred  hideth  his  demon  frown  beneath  a gentle  mask  ; 

And  Slander,  snake-like,  creepeth  in  the  dust,  thinking  to  es- 
cape recrimination. 

But  the  world  hath  gained  somewhat  from  its  years,  and  is 
quick  to  penetrate  disguises, 

Neither  in  all  these  is  it  easily  deceived,  but  rightly  divideth 
the  true  from  the  false. 

Yet  there  is  a meanness  of  spirit  that  is  fair  in  the  eyes  of 
most  men, 

Yea,  and  seemeth  fair  unto  itself,  loving  to  be  thought  Hu- 
mility. 

Its  choler  is  not  roused  by  insolence,  neither  do  injuries  dis- 
turb it : 

Honest  indignation  is  strange  unto  its  breast,  and  just  reproof 
unto  its  lip. 

It  shrinketh,  looking  fearfully  on  men,  fawning  at  the  feet  of 
the  great : 

The  breath  of  calumny  is  sweet  unto  its  ear,  and  it  courteth 
the  rod  of  persecution. 

But  what ! art  thou  not  a man,  deputed  chief  of  the  crea- 
tion? 

Art  thou  not  a soldier  of  the  right,  militant  for  God  and 
good  ? 

Shall  virtue  and  truth  be  degraded,  because  thou  art  too  base 
to  uphold  them  ? 

Or  Goliath  be  bolder  in  blaspheming  for  want  of  a David  in 
the  camp  ? 

I say  not,  avenge  injuries:  for  th#1  ministry  of  vengeance  is 
not  thine ; 

But  wherefore  rebuke  not  a liar  ? wherefore  do  dishonor  to 
thyself? 


series  i.]  OF  HUMILITY.  55 

Wherefore  let  the  evil  triumph,  when  the  just  and  the  right 
are  on  thy  side  1 

Such  Humility  is  abject,  it  lacketh  the  life  of  sensibility, 

And  that  resignation  is  but  mock,  where  the  burden  is  not 
felt: 

Suspect  thyself  and  thy  meekness : thou  art  mean  and  indif- 
ferent tc  sin ; 

And  the  heart  that  should  grieve  and  forgive,  is  case-harden- 
ed and  forgetteth. 

Humility  mainly  becometh  the  converse  of  man  with  his 
Maker, 

But  oftentimes  it  seemeth  out  of  place  in  the  intercourse  of 
man  with  man : 

Yea,  it  is  the  cringer  to  his  equal,  that  is  chiefly  seen  bold  to 
his  God, 

While  a martyr,  whom  a world  cannot  browbeat,  is  humble 
as  a child  before  Him. 

Render  unto  all  men  their  due,  but  remember  thou  also  art  a 
man, 

And  cheat  not  thyself  of  the  reverence  which  is  owing  to 
thy  reasonable  being. 

Be  courteous,  and  listen,  and  learn : but  teach  and  answer  if 
thou  canst : 

Serve  thee  of  thy  neighbor’s  wisdom,  but  be  not  enslaved  as 
to  a master. 

Where  thou  perceivest  knowledge,  bend  the  ear  of  attention 
and  respect ; 

But  yield  not  further  to  the  teaching,  than  as  thy  mind  is 
warranted  by  reasons. 

Better  is  an  obstinate  disputant,  that  yieldeth  inch  by  inch, 

Than  the  shallow  traitor  to  himself,  who  surrendereth  to 
half  an  argument. 

Modesty  winneth  good  report,  but  scorn  cometh  close  upon 
servility, 


56  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Therefore  use  meekness  with  discretion,  casting  not  pearls 
before  Swine, 

For  a fool  will  tread  upon  thy  neck,  if  he  seeth  thee  lying  in 
the  dust ; 

And  there  be  companies  and  seasons  where  resolute  bearing 
is  but  duty. 

If  a good  man  discloseth  his  secret  failings  unto  the  view  of 
the  profane, 

What  doeth  he  but  harm  unto  his  brother,  confirming  him 
in  his  sin  7 

There  is  a concealment  that  is  right,  and  an  open-mouthed 
humility  that  erreth ; 

There  is  a candor  near  akin  to  folly,  and  a meekness  look- 
ing like  shame. 

Masculine  sentiments,  vigorously  holden,  well  become  a man ; 

But  a weak  mind  hath  a timorous  grasp,  and  mistaketh  it  for 
tenderness  of  conscience. 

Many  are  despised  for  their  folly,  who  put  it  to  the  account 
of  their  religion, 

And  because  men  treat  them  with  contempt,  they  look  to 
their  God  for  glory : 

But  contempt  shall  still  be  their  reward,  who  betrayed  their 
Master  untq  ridicule, 

Reflecting  on  Him  in  themselves,  meanness  and  ignorance 
and  cowardice. 

A Christian  hath  a royal  spirit,  and  need  not  be  ashamed  but 
unto  One. 

Among  just  men  walketh  he  softly,  but  the  world  should  see 
him  as  a champion. 

His  humbleness  is  far  unlike  the  shame  that  covereth  the 
profligate  and  weak, 

When  the  sober  reproof  of  virtue  hath  touched  their  tingling 
ears ; 

It  is  born  of  love  and  wisdom,  and  is  worthy  of  all  honor, 

And  the  sweet  persuasion  of  its  smile  changeth  contempt 
into  reverence. 


SERIES  I.] 


OF  HUMILITY. 


57 


A man  of  a haughty  spirit  is  daily  adding  to  his  enemies : 

He  standeth  as  the  Arab  in  the  desert,  and  the  hands  of  all 
men  are  against  him : 

A man  of  a base  mind  daily  subtracteth  from  his  friends, 

For  he  holdcth  himself  so  cheaply,  that  others  learn  to 
despise  him  : 

But  where  the  meekness  of  self-knowledge  veileth  the  front 
of  self-respect, 

There  look  thou  for  the  man,  whom  none  can  know  but  they 
will  honor. 

Humility  is  the  softening  shadow  before  the  stature  of  Ex- 
cellence, 

And  lieth  lowly  on  the  ground,  beloved  and  lovely  as  the 
violet : 

Humility  is  the  fair-haired  maid,  that  calleth  Worth  her 
brother, 

The  gentle  silent  nurse,  that  fostereth  infant  virtues  : 

Humility  bringeth  no  excuse ; she  is  welcome  to  God  and 
man : 

Her  countenance  is  needful  unto  all,  who  would  prosper  in 
either  world ; 

And  the  mild  light  of  her  sweet  face  is  mirrored  in  the  eyes 
of  her  companions, 

And  straightway  stand  they  accepted,  children  of  penitence 
and  love. 

As  when  the  blind  man  is  nigh  unto  a rose,  its  sweetness  is 
the  herald  of  its  beauty, 

So  when  thou  savorest  humility,  be  sure  thou  art  nigh  unto 
merit. 

A gift  rejoiceth  the  covetous,  and  praise  fatteneth  the  vain, 

And  the  pride  of  man  delighteth  in  the  humble  bearing  of 
his  fellow  ; 

But  to  the  tender  benevolence  of  the  unthanked  Almoner  of 
good, 

Humility  is  queen  among  the  graces,  for  she  giveth  him  oc- 
casion to  bestow. 


58 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


OF  PRIDE. 

Deep  is  the  sea,  and  deep  is  hell,  but  Pride  mineth  deeper ; 

It  is  coiled  as  a poisonous  worm  about  the  foundations  of  the 
soul. 

If  thou  expose  it  in  thy  motives,  and  track  it  in  thy  springs 
of  thought, 

Complacent  in  its  own  detection,  it  will  seem  indignant 
virtue ; 

Smoothly  will  it  gratulate  thy  skill,  O subtle  anatomist  of 
self, 

And  spurn  at  its  very  being,  while  it  nestleth  the  deeper  in 
thy  bosom. 

Pride  is  a double  traitor,  and  betrayeth  itself  to  entrap  thee, 

Making  thee  vain  of  thy  self-knowledge  ; proud  of  thy  dis- 
coveries of  pride. 

Fruitlessly  thou  strainest  for  humility,  by  darkly  diving  into 
self: 

Rather  look  away  from  innate  evil,  and  gaze  upon  extrane- 
ous good : 

For  in  sounding  the  deep  things  of  the  heart,  thou  shalt  learn 
to  be  vain  of  its  capacities, 

But  in  viewing  the  heights  above  thee,  thou  shalt  be  taught 
thy  littleness : 

Could  an  emmet  pry  into  itself,  it  might  marvel  at  its  own 
anatomy, 

But  let  it  look  on  eagles,  to  discern  how  mean  a thing  it  is. 

And  all  things  hang  upon  comparison ; to  the  greater,  great 
is  small : 

Neither  is  there  anything  so  vile,  but  somewhat  yet  is  viler : 

On  all  sides  is  there  an  infinity  : the  culprit  at  the  gallows 
hath  his  worse, 

And  the  virgin  martyr  at  the  stake  need  not  look  far  for  a 
better. 


series  i.]  OF  PRIDE.  53 

Therefore  see  thou  that  thine  aim  reacheth  unto  higher  than 
thyself : 

Beware  that  the  standard  of  thy  soul  wave  from  the  loftiest 
battlement : 

For  pride  is  a pestilent  meteor,  flitting  on  the  marshes  of 
corruption, 

That  will  lure  thee  forward  to  thy  death,  if  thou  seek  to 
track  it  to  its  source  : 

Pride  is  a gloomy  bow,  arching  the  infernal  firmament, 

That  will  lead  thee  on,  if  thou  wilt  hunt  it,  even  to  the 
dwelling  of  despair. 

Deep  calleth  unto  deep,  and  mountain  overtoppeth  mountain, 

And  still  shalt  thou  fathom  to  no  end  the  depth  and  the 
height  of  pride : 

For  it  is  the  vast  ambition  of  the  soul,  warped  to  an  idol 
object, 

And  nothing  but  a Deity  in  Self  can  quench  its  insatiable 
thirst. 

Be  aware  of  the  smiling  enemy,  that  openly  sheatheth  his 
weapon, 

But  mingleth  poison  in  secret  with  the  sacred  salt  of  hospi- 
tality : 

For  pride  will  lie  dormant  in  thy  heart,  to  snatch  its  secret 
opportunity, 

Watching,  as  a lion-ant,  in  the  bottom  of  its  toils. 

Stay  not  to  parley  with  thy  foe,  for  his  tongue  is  more  potent 
than  his  arm, 

But  be  wiser,  fighting  against  pride  in  the  simple  panoply  of 
prayer. 

As  one  also  of  the  poets  hath  said,  let  not  the  Proteus  escape 
thee ; (13) 

For  he  will  blaze  forth  as  fire,  and  quench  himself  in  like- 
ness of  water ; 

He  will  fright  thee  as  a roaring  beast,  or  charm  thee  as  a 
subtle  reptile. 


60  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Mark,  amid  all  his  transformations,  the  complicate  deceitful- 
ness of  pride, 

And  the  more  he  striveth  to  elude  thee,  bind  him  the  closer 
in  thy  toils. 

Prayer  is  the  net  that  snareth  him ; prayer  is  the  fetter  that 
holdeth  him : 

Thou  canst  not  nourish  pride,  while  waiting  as  an  almsman 
on  thy  God, — 

Waiting  in  sincerity  and  trust,  or  pride  shall  meet  thee  even 
there ; 

Yea,  from  the  palaces  of  Heaven,  hath  pride  cast  down  his 
millions. 

Root  up  the  mandrake  from  thy  heart,  though  it  cost  thee 
blood  and  groans, 

Or  the  cherished  garden  of  thy  graces  will  fade  and  perish 
utterly. 

OF  EXPERIENCE 

I knew  that  age  was  enriched  with  the  hard-earned  wages 
of  knowledge, 

And  I saw  that  hoary  wisdom  was  bred  in  the  school  of  dis- 
appointment : 

I noted  that  the  wisest  of  youth,  though  provident  and  cau- 
tious of  evil, 

Yet  sailed  along  unsteadily,  as  lacking  some  ballast  of  the 
mind : 

And  the  cause  seemed  to  lie  in  this,  that  while  they  con- 
sidered around  them, 

And  warded  off  all  dangers  from  without,  they  forgat  their 
own  weakness  within. 

So  steer  they  in  self-confidence,  until,  from  the  multitude  of 
perils, 

They  begin  to  be  weary  of  themselves,  and  learn  the  first 
lessons  of  Experience. 


OF  EXPERIENCE. 


SERIES  I.j 


61 


I knew  that  in  the  morning  of  life,  before  its  wearisome 
journey, 

The  youthful  soul  doth  expand,  in  the  simple  luxury  of 
being ; 

It  hath  not  contracted  its  wishes,  nor  set  a limit  to  its  hopes ; 

The  wing  of  fancy  is  unclipt,  and  sin  hath  not  seared  the 
feelings : 

Each  feature  is  stamped  with  immortality,  for  all  its  desires 
are  infinite, 

And  it  seeketh  an  ocean  of  happiness,  to  fill  the  deep  hollow 
within. 

But  the  old  and  the  grave  look  on,  pitying  that  generous 
youth, 

For  they  also  have  tasted  long  ago  the  bitterness  of  hope  de- 
stroyed : 

They  pity  him,  and  are  sad,  remembering  the  days  that  are 
past, 

But  they  know  he  must  taste  for  himself,  or  he  will  not  give 
ear  to  their  wisdom. 

For  Experience  hath  another  lesson,  which  a man  will  do 
well  if  he  learn, 

By  checking  the  flight  of  expectation,  to  cheat  disappoint- 
ment of  its  pain. 


Experience  teacheth  many  things,  and  all  men  are  his 
scholars : 

Yet  is  he  a strange  tutor,  unteaching  that  which  he  hath 
taught. 

Youth  is  confident,  manhood  wary,  and  old  age  confident 
again : 

Youth  is  kind,  manhood  cold,  and  age  returneth  unto  kindness. 

For  youth  suspecteth  naught,  till  manhood,  bitterly  learned, 

Mistrusteth  all,  overleaping  the  mark  ; and  age  correcteth  his 
excess. 

Suspicion  is  the  scaffold  unto  faith,  a temporary  needful 
eyesore, 


62  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

By  which  the  strong  man’s  dwelling  is  slowly  builded  up 
behind : 

But  soon  as  the  top-stone  hath  been  set  to  the  well-proved 
goodly  pyramid, 

The  scaffold  is  torn  down,  and  well-timed  trust  taketh  its 
long  leave  of  suspicion, 

A thousand  volumes  in  a thousand  tongues,  enshrine  the 
lessons  of  Experience, 

Yet  a man  shall  read  them  all,  and  go  forth  none  the  wiser: 

For  self-love  lendeth  him  a glass,  to  color  all  he  conneth, 

Lest  in  the  features  of  another  he  find  his  own  complexion. 

And  Vve  secretly  judge  of  ourselves,  as  differing  greatly  from 
all  men, 

And  love  to  challenge  causes  to  show  how  we  can  master 
their  effects ; 

Pride  is  pampered  in  expecting  that  we  need  not  fear  a com- 
mon fate, 

Or  wrong-headed  prejudice  exulteth,  in  combating  old  expe- 
rience ; 

Or  perchance  caprice  and  discontent  are  the  spurs  that  goad 
us  into  danger, 

Careless,  and  half  in  hope  to  find  there  an  enemy  to  joust 
with. 

Private  experience  is  an  unsafe  teacher,  for  we  rarely  learn 
both  sides, 

And  from  the  gilt  surface  reckon  not  on  steel  beneath  : 

The  torrid  sons  of  Guinea  think  scorn  of  icy  seas, 

And  the  frostbitten  Greenlander  disbelieveth  suns  too  hot. 

But  thou,  student  of  Wisdom,  feed  on  the  marrow  of  the 
matter ; 

If  thou  wilt  suspect,  let  it  be  thyself ; if  thou  wilt  expect,  let 
it  not  be  gladness. 


63 




series  i.]  OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER. 


OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER. 

Rashly,  nor  ofttimes  truly,  doth  man  pass  judgment  on  his 
brother ; 

For  he  seeth  not  the  springs  of  the  heart,  nor  heareth  the 
reasons  of  the  mind. 

And  the  world  is  not  wiser  than  of  old,  when  justice  was 
meted  by  the  sword, 

When  the  spear  avenged  the  wrong,  and  the  lot  decided  the 
right, 

When  the  footsteps  of  blindfold  innocence  were  tracked  by 
burning  ploughshares, 

And  the  still  condemning  water  delivered  up  the  wizard  to 
the  stake : 

For  we  wait,  like  the  sage  of  Salamis,  to  see  what  the  end 
will  be,  (H) 

Fixing  the  right  or  the  wrong,  by  the  issues  of  failure  or  suc- 
cess. 

J udge  not  of  things  by  their  events ; neither  of  character  by 
providence ; 

And  count  not  a man  more  evil,  because  he  is  more  unfortu- 
nate ; 

For  the  blessings  of  a better  covenant  lie  not  in  the  sunshine 
of  prosperity, 

But  pain  and  chastisement  the  rather  show  the  wise  Father’s 
love. 

Behold  that  daughter  of  the  world ; she  is  full  of  gaiety  and 
gladness ; 

The  diadem  of  rank  is  on  her  brow,  uncounted  wealth  is  in 
her  coffers : 

She  tricketh  out  her  beauty  like  Jezebel,  and  is  welcome  in 
the  courts  of  kings ; 


64  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

She  is  queen  of  the  fools  of  fashion,  and  ruleth  the  revels  of 
luxury. 

And  though  she  sitteth  not  as  Tamar,  nor  standeth  in  the 
ways  as  Rahab, 

Yet  in  the  secret  of  her  chamber,  she  shrinketh  not  from  dal- 
liance and  guilt. 

She  careth  not  if  there  be  a God,  or  a soul,  or  a time  of 
retribution, 

Pleasure  is  the  idol  of  her  heart : she  thirsteth  for  no  purer 
heaven. 

And  she  lauglieth  with  light  good  humor,  and  all  men  praise 
her  gentleness  ; 

They  are  glad  in  her  lovely  smile,  and  the  river  of  her  bounty 
filleth  them. 

So  she  prospered  in  the  world : the  worship  and  desire  of 
thousands ; 

And  she  died  even  as  she  had  lived,  careless  and  courteous 
and  liberal. 

The  grave  swallowed  up  her  pomp,  the  marble  proclaimed 
her  virtues, 

For  men  esteemed  her  excellent,  and  charities  sounded  forth 
her  praise ; 

But  elsewhere  far  other  judgment  setteth  her — with  infidels 
and  harlots ! 

She  abused  the  trust  of  her  splendor : and  the  wages  of  her 
sin  shall  be  hereafter. 


Look  again  on  this  fair  girl,  the  orphan  of  a village  pastor 
Who  is  dead,  and  hath  left  her  his  all,— his  blessing,  and  a 
name  unstained. 

And  friends,  with  busy  zeal,  that  their  purses  be  not  taxed, 
Place  the  sad  mourner  in  a home,  poor  substitute  for  that 
she  hath  lost. 

A stranger  among  strange  faces,  she  drinketh  the  wormwood 
of  dependence ; 


series  i.]  OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  65 

She  is  marked  As  a child  of  want;  and  the  world  liateth 
poverty. 

Prayer  is  not  heard  in  that  house : the  day  she  hath  loved  to 
hallow 

Is  noted  but  by  deeper  dissipation,  the  riot  of  luxury  and 
gaming : 

And  wantonness  is  in  her  master’s  eye,  and  she  hath  no- 
where to  flee  to ; 

She  is  cared  for  by  none  upon  earth,  and  her  God  seemeth  to 
forsake  her. 

Then  cometh,  in  fair  show,  the  promise,  and  the  feint  of 
affection, 

And  her  heart,  long  unused  to  kindness,  remembereth  her 
father,  and  loveth. 

And  the  villain  hath  wronged  her  trust,  and  mocked,  and 
flung  her  from  him, 

And  men  point  at  her  and  laugh  ; and  women  hate  her  as  an 
outcast : 

But  elsewhere,  far  other  judgment  setteth  her — among  the 
martyrs ! 

And  the  Lord,  who  seemed  to  forsake,  giveth  double  glory  to 
the  fallen. 

Once  more,  in  the  matter  of  wealth : if  thou  throw  thine 
all  on  a chance, 

Men  will  come  around  thee,  and  wait,  and  watch  the  turning 
of  the  wheel ; 

And  if,  in  the  lottery  of  life,  thou  hast  drawn  a splendid  prize, 

What  foresight  hadst  thou,  and  skill ! yea,  what  enterprise 
and  wisdom ! 

But  if  it  fall  out  against  thee,  and  thou  fail  in  thy  perilous 
endeavor, 

Behold,  the  simple  did  sow,  and  hath  reaped  the  right  har- 
vest of  his  folly, 

And  the  world  will  be  gladly  excused,  nor  will  reach  out  a 
finger  to  help ; 


6* 


66  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

For  why  should  this  speculative  dullard  be  a whirlpool  to  all 
around  him  7 

Go  to,  let  him  sink  by  himself : we  knew  what  the  end  of  it 
would  be : — 

For  the  man  hath  missed  his  mark,  and  his  fellows  look  no 
further. 

Also,  touching  guilt  and  innocence : a man  shall  walk  in 
his  uprightness 

Year  after  year  without  reproach,  in  charity  and  honesty 
with  all : 

But  in  one  evil  hour  the  enemy  shall  come  in  like  a flood  ; 

Shall  track  him  and  tempt  him,  and  hem  him, — till  he 
knoweth  not  whither  to  fly. 

Perchance  his  famishing  little  ones  shall  scream  in  his  ears 
for  bread, 

And,  maddened  by  that  fierce  cry,  he  rusheth  as  a thief  upon 
the  world ; 

The  world  that  hath  left  him  to  starve,  itself  wallowing  in 
plenty, — 

The  world,  that  denieth  him  his  rights, — he  daringly  rob- 
beth  it  of  them. 

I say  not,  such  an  one  is  innocent : but  small  is  the  measure 
of  his  guilt 

To  that  of  his  wealthy  neighbor,  who  would  not  help  him  at 
his  need ; 

To  that  of  the  selfish  epicure,  who  turned  away  with  cold- 
ness from  his  tale  ; 

To  that  of  unsufteriag  thousands,  who  look  with  compla- 
cence on  his  fall. 

Or  perchance  the  continual  dropping  of  the  venomed  words 
of  spite, 

Insult  and  injury  and  scorn,  have  galled  and  pierced  his 
heart ; 


series  i.J  OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  67 

Yet,  with  all  long-suffering  and  meekness,  he  forgiveth  unto 
seventy  times  seven : 

Till,  in  some  weaker  moment,  tempted  beyond  endurance, 

He  striketh,  more  in  anger  than  in  hate ; and,  alas ! for  his 
heavy  chance, 

He  hath  smitten  unto  instant  death  his  spiteful  life-long 
enemy ! 

And  none  was  by  to  see  it ; and  all  men  knew  of  their  con- 
tentions : 

Fierce  voices  shout  for  his  blood,  and  rude  hands  hurry  him 
to  judgment. 

Then  man’s  verdict  cometh, — Murderer,  with  forethought 
malice ; 

And  his  name  is  a note  of  execration;  his  guilt  is  too  black 
for  devils. 

But  to  the  righteous  Judge  seemeth  he  the  suffering  victim ; 

F<fc  his  anger  was  not  unlawful,  but  became  him  as  a 
Christian  and  a man  ; 

And  though  his  guilt  was  grievous  when  he  struck  that 
heavy  bitter  blow, 

Yet  light  is  the  sin  of  the  smiter,  and  verily  kicketh  the 
beam, 

To  the  weight  of  that  man’s  wickedness,  whose  slow  relent- 
less hatred 

Met  him  at  every  turn,  with  patient  continuance  in  evil. 

Doubtless,  eternal  wrath  shall  be  heaped  upon  that  spiteful 
enemy. 

It  is  vain,  it  is  vain,  saith  the  preacher  ; there  be  none  but 
the  righteous  and  the  wicked, 

Base  rebels,  and  staunch  allies,  the  true  knight,  and  the 
traitor ; 

And  he  beareth  strong  witness  among  men,  There  is  no  neu- 
tral ground, 

The  broad  highway  and  narrow  path  map  out  the  whole 
domain ; 


68  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Sit  here  among  the  saints,  these  holy  chosen  few, 

Or  grovel  there  a wretch  condemned,  to  die  among  the  mil- 
lion. 

And  verily  for  ultimate  results,  there  be  but  good  and  bad ; 

Heaven  hath  no  dusky  twilight ; hell  is  not  gladdened  with 
a dawn. 

Yet  looking  round  among  his  fellows,  who  can  pass  righteous 
judgment, 

Such  an  one  is  holy  and  accepted,  and  such  an  one  reprobate 
and  doomed  ? 

There  is  so  much  of  good  among  the  worst,  so  much  of  evil 
in  the  best, 

Such  seeming  partialities  in  providence,  so  many  things  to 
lessen  and  expand, 

Yea,  and  with  all  man’s  boast,  so  little  real  freedom  of  his 
will, — 

That,  to  look  a little  lower  than  the  surface,  garb  or  dialdkt 
or  fashion, 

Thou  shalt  feebly  pronounce  for  a saint,  and  faintly  condemn 
for  a sinner. 

Over  many  a heart  good  and  true,  fluttereth  the  Great  King’s 
pennant : 

By  many  an  iron  hand,  the  pirate’s  black  banner  is  unfurled : 

But  there  be  many  more  besides,  in  the  yacht  and  the  trader 
and  the  fishing  boat, 

In  the  feather’d  war-canoe,  and  the  quick  mysterious  gon- 
dola: 

And  the  army  of  that  Great  King  hath  no  stated  uniform  ; 

Of  mingled  characters  and  kinds  goeth  forth  the  countless 
host ; 

There  is  the  turbaned  Damascene,  with  his  tatooed  Zealand 
brother, 

There  the  slim  bather  in  the  Ganges,  with  the  sturdy  Rus- 
sian boor, 

The  sluggish  inmate  of  a polar  cave,  with  the  fire  souled 
daughter  of  Brazil, 


series  i.J  OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  69 

The  embruted  slave  from  Cuba,  and  the  Briton  of  gentle 
birth. 

For  all  are  His  inheritance,  of  all  He  taketh  tithe : 

And  the  Church,  his  mercy’s  ark,  hath  some  of  every  sort. 
Who  art  thou,  O man,  that  art  fixing  the  limits  of  the  fold  ? 
Wherefore  settest  thou  stakes  to  spread  the  tent  of  heaven? 
Lay  not  the  plummet  to  the  line : religion  hath  no  land- 
marks : 

No  human  keenness  can  discern  the  subtle  shades  of  faith  : 
In  some  it  is  as  earliest  dawn,  the  scarce  diluted  daikness  ; 

In  some  as  dubious  twilight,  cold  and  grey  and  gloomy  ; 

In  some  the  ebon  east  is  streaked  with  flaming  gold  : 

In  some  the  dayspring  from  on  high  breaketh  in  all  its 
praise. 

And  who  hath  determined  the  when,  separating  light  from 
darkness  ? 

Who  shall  pluck  from  earliest  dawn  the  promise  of  the  day  1 
Leave  that  care  to  the  Husbandman,  lest  thou  garner  tares ; 
Help  thou  the  Shepherd  in  his  seeking,  but  to  separate  be  his : 
For  I have  often  seen  the  noble  erring  spirit 
Wrecked  on  the  shoals  of  passion,  and  numbered  of  the  lost ; 
Often  the  generous  heart,  lit  by  unhallowed  fire, 

Counted  a brand  among  the  burning,  and  left  uncared-for,  in 
his  sin : 

Yet  I waited  a little  year,  and  the  mercy  thou  hadst  for- 
gotten, 

Hath  purged  that  noble  spirit,  washing  it  in  waters  of  re- 
pentance ; 

That  glowing  generous  heart,  having  burnt  out  all  its  dross, 

Is  as  a golden  censer,  ready  for  the  aloes  and  cassia : 

While  thou,  hard-visaged  man,  unlovely  in  thy  strictness, 
Who  turned  from  him  thy  sympathies  with  self-complacent 
pride, 

How  art  thou  shamed  by  him ! his  heart  is  a spring  of  love, 
While  the  dry  well  of  thine  affections  is  choked  with  secret 
mammon. 


70  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Sometimes  at  a glance  thou  judgest  well ; years  could  add 
little  to  thy  knowledge : 

When  charity  gloweth  on  the  cheek,  or  malice  is  lowering  in 
the  eye, 

When  honesty’s  open  brow,  or  the  weasel-face  of  cunning  is 
before  thee, 

Or  the  loose  lip  of  wantonness,  or  clear  bright  forehead  of 
reflection. 

But  often,  by  shrewd  scrutiny,  thou  judgest  to  the  good  man’s 
harm : 

For  it  may  be  his  hour  of  trial,  or  he  slumbereth  at  his  post, 

Or  he  hath  slain  his  foe,  but  not  yet  levelled  the  stronghold, 

Or  barely  recovered  of  the  wounds,  that  fleshed  him  in  his 
fray  with  passion. 

Also,  of  the  worst,  through  prejudice,  thou  loosely  shalt  think 
well : 

For  none  is  altogether  evil,  and  thou  mayst  catch  him  at  his 
prayers : 

There  may  be  one  small  prize,  though  all  beside  be  blanks  ; 

A silver  thread  of  goodness  in  the  black  sergecloth  of  crime. 

There  is  to  whom  all  things  are  easy : his  mind,  as  a master- 
key, 

Can  open,  with  intuitive  address,  the  treasuries  of  art  and 
science : 

There  is  to  whom  all  things  are  hard ; but  industry  giveth 
him  a crow-bar, 

To  force,  with  groaning  labor,  the  stubborn  lock  of  learning : 

And  often,  when  thou  lookest  on  an  eye,  dim  in  native  dul- 
ness, 

Little  shalt  thou  wot  of  the  wealth  diligence  hath  gathered 
to  its  gaze ; 

Often  the  brow  that  should  be  bright  with  the  dormant  fire 
of  genius, 

Within  its  ample  halls,  hath  ignorance  the  tenant. 

Yet  are  not  the  sons  of  men  cast  as  in  moulds  by  the  lot? 


series  i.J  OF  ESTIMATING  CHARACTER.  71 

The  like  in  frame  and  feature  have  much  alike  in  spirit; 

Such  a shape  hath  such  a soul,  so  that  a deep  discerner 

From  his  make  will  read  the  man,  and  err  not  far  in  judg- 
ment: 

Yea,  and  it  holdeth  in  the  converse,  that  growing  similarity 
of  mind 

Findeth  or  maketh  for  itself  an  apposite  dwelling  in  the  body: 

Accident  may  modify,  circumstance  may  bevil,  externals 
seem  to  change  it, 

But  still  the  primitive  crystal  is  latent  in  its  many  variations : 

For  the  map  of  the  face,  and  the  picture  of  the  eye,  are  traced 
by  the  pen  of  passion ; 

And  the  mind  fashioneth  a tabernacle  suitable  for  itself. 

A mean  spirit  boweth  down  the  back,  and  the  bowing  foster- 
eth  meanness ; 

A resolute  purpose  knitteth  the  knees,  and  the  firm  tread 
nourisheth  decision  ; 

Love  looketh  softly  from  the  eye,  and  kindleth  love  by  look- 
ing ; 

Hate  furroweth  the  brow,  and  a man  may  frown  till  he  hat- 
eth  : 

For  mind  and  body,  spirit  and  matter,  have  reciprocities  of 
power, 

And  each  keepeth  up  the  strife  ; a man’s  works  make  or  mar 
him. 

There  be  deeper  things  than  these,  lying  in  the  twilight  of 
truth  ; 

But  few  can  discern  them  aright,  from  surrounding  dimness  of 
error. 

For  perchance,  if  thou  knewest  the  whole,  and  largely  with 
comprehensive  mind 

Co»ldst  read  the  history  of  character,  the  chequered  story 
of  a life, 

And  into  the  great  account,  which  summeth  a mortal’s  des 
tiny, 


72  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Wert  to  add  the  forces  from  without,  dragging  him  this  way 
and  that, 

And  the  secret  qualities  within,  grafted  on  the  s«nl  from  the 
womb, 

And  the  might  of  other  men’s  example,  among  whom  his  lot 
is  cast, 

And  the  influence  of  want,  or  wealth,  of  kindness,  or  harsh 
ill-usage, 

Of  ignorance  he  cannot  help,  and  knowledge  found  for  him 
by  others, 

And  first  impressions,  hard  to  be  effaced,  and  leadings  to 
right  or  to  wrong, 

And  inheritance  of  likeness  from  a father,  and  natural  human 
frailty, 

And  the  habit  of  health  or  disease,  and  prejudices  poured 
into  his  mind, 

And  the  myriad  -little  matters  none  but  Omniscience  can 
know, 

And  accidents  that  steer  the  thoughts,  where  none  but  Ubi- 
quity can  trace  them  ; — 

If  thou  couldst  compass  all  these,  and  the  consequents  flow- 
ing from  them, 

And  the  scope  to  which  they  tend,  and  the  necessary  fitness 
of  all  things, 

Then  shouldst  thou  see  as  He  seeth,  who  judgeth  all  men 
equal, — 

Equal  touching  innocence  and  guilt ; and  different  alone  in 
this, 

That  one  acknowledge th  his  evil,  and  looketh  to  his  God  for 
mercy ; 

Another  boasteth  of  his  good,  and  calleth  on  his  God  for 
justice ; 

So  He,  that  sendeth  none  away,  is  largely  munificent  to 
prayer, 

But,  in  the  heart  of  presumption,  sheathed  the  sword  of  ven- 
geance. 




series  i.l  OF  HATRED  AND  ANGER. 


73 


OF  HATRED  AND  ANGER. 

Blunted  unto  goodness  is  the  heart  which  anger  never  stir- 
reth, 

But  that  which  hatred  swelleth,  is  keen  to  carve  out  evil. 

Anger  is  a noble  infirmity,  the  generous  failing  of  the  just, 

The  one  degree  that  riseth  above  zeal  asserting  the  preroga- 
tives of  virtue : 

But  hatred  is  a slow  continuing  crime,  a fire  in  the  bad  man’s 
breast, 

A dull  and  hungry  flame,  for  ever  craving  insatiate. 

Hatred  would  harm  another ; anger  would  indulge  itself : 

Hatred  is  a simmering  poison ; anger,  the  opening  of  a val  Ve : 

Hatred  destroyeth  as  the  upas-tree  ; anger  smiteth  as  a staff: 

Hatred  is  the  atmosphere  of  hell ; but  anger  is  known  in  hea- 
ven. 

Is  there  not  a righteous  wrath,  an  anger  just  and  holy, 

When  goodness  is  sitting  in  the  dust,  and  wickedness  en- 
throned on  Babel  7 

Doth  pity  condemn  guilt  7 — is  justice  not  a feeling  but  a law 

Appealing  to  the  line  and  to  the  plummet,  incognisant  of 
moral  sense  7 

Thou  that  condemnest  anger,  small  is  thy  sympathy  with 
angels, 

Thou  that  hast  accounted  it  for  sin,  cold  is  thy  communion 
with  heaven. 

Beware  of  the  angry  in  his  passion ; but  fear  not  to  approach 
him  afterward ; 

For  if  thou  acknowledge  thine  error,  he  himself  will  be  sorry 
for  his  wrath : 

Beware  of  the  hater  in  his  coolness : for  he  meditateth  evil 
against  thee ; 


7 


74  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i 

Commending  the  resources  of  his  mind  calmly  to  work  thy 
ruin. 

Deceit  and  treachery  skulk  with  hatred,  but  an  honest  spirit 
flieth  with  anger: 

The  one  lieth  secret,  as  a serpent ; the  other  chaseth,  as  a 
leopard. 

Speedily  be  reconciled  in  love,  and  receive  the  returning  of- 
fender, 

For  wittingly  prolonging  anger,  thou  tamperest  unconsciously 
with  hatred. 

Patience  is  power  in  a man,  nerving  him  to  rein  his  spirit : 

Passion  is  as  palsy  to  his  arrn,  while  it  yelleth  on  the  cours- 
ers to  their  speed : 

Patience  keepeth  counsel,  and  standeth  in  solid  self-posses- 
sion, 

But  the  weakness  of  sudden  passion  layeth  bare  the  secrets 
of  the  soul. 

The  sentiment  of  anger  is  not  ill,  when  thou  lookest  on  the 
impudence  of  vice, 

Or  savorest  the  breath  of  calumny,  or  hast  earned  the  hard 
wages  of  injustice, 

But  see  thou  that  thou  curb  it  in  expression,  rendering  the 
mildness  of  rebuke, 

So  shalt  thou  stand  without  reproach,  mailed  in  all  the  dig- 
nity of  virtue. 


OF  GOOD  IN  THINGS  EVIL. 

I heard  the  man  of  sin  reproaching  the  goodness  of  Jehovah, 
Wherefore,  if  he  be  Almighty  Love,  permitteth  he  misery 
and  pain? 

I saw  the  child  of  hope  vexed  in  the  labyrinth  of  doubt, 
Wherefore,  O holy  One  and  just,  is  the  horn  of  thy  foul  foe 
so  high  exalted  ? — 


series  i.J  OF  GOOD  IN  THINGS  EVIL.  75 

And,  alas ! for  this  our  groaning  world,  for  that  grief  and 
guilt  are  here ; 

Alas ! for  that  Earth  is  the  battle-field,  where  good  must  com- 
bat with  evil : 

Angels  look  on  and  hold  their  breath,  burning  to  mingle  in 
the  conflict, 

But  the  troops  of  the  Captain  of  Salvation  may  be  none  but 
the  soldiers  of  the  cross : 

And  that  slender  band  must  fight  alone,  and  yet  shall  tri- 
umph gloriously, 

Enough  shall  they  be  for  conquest,  and  the  motto  of  their 
standard  is  Enough. 

Thou  art  sad,  O denizen  of  earth,  for  pains  and  diseases  and 
death, 

But  remember,  thy  hand  hath  earned  them ; grudge  not  at 
the  wages  of  thy  doings  : 

Thy  guilt,  and  thy  fathers’  guilt,  must  bring  many  sorrows  in 
their  company, 

And  if  thou  wilt  drink  sweet  poison,  doubtless  it  shall  rot 
thee  to  the  core. 

What  art  thou  but  the  heritor  of  evil,  with  a right  to  nothing 
good? 

The  respite  of  an  interval  of  ease  were  a boon  which  Justice 
might  deny  thee : 

Therefore  lay  thy  hand  upon  thy  mouth,  O man  much  to  be 
forgiven, 

And  wait,  thou  child  of  hope,  for  time  shall  teach  thee  all 
things. 

Yet  hear,  for  my  speech  shall  comfort  thee  ; reverently,  but 
with  boldness, 

I would  raise  the  sable  curtain,  that  hideth  the  symmetry  of 
Providence. 

Pain  and  sin  are  convicts,  and  toil  in  their  fetters  for  good  ; 

The  weapons  of  evil  are  turned  against  itself,  fighting  under 
better  banners : 


76  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  leech  delighteth  in  stinging,  and  the  wicked  loveth  to  do 
harm, 

But  the  wise  Physician  of  the  universe  useth  that  ill  ten- 
dency for  health. 

Verily,  from  others’  griefs  are  gendered  sympathy  and  kind- 
ness ; 

Patience,  humility,  and  faith,  spring  not  seldom  from  thine 
own: 

An  enemy,  humbled  by  his  sorrows,  cannot  be  far  from  thy 
forgiveness, 

A friend,  who  hath  tasted  of  calamity,  shall  fan  the  dying 
incense  of  thy  love  : 

And  for  thyself,  is  it  a small  thing,  so  to  learn  thy  frailty, 

That  from  an  aching  bone  thou  savest  the  whole  body  7 

The  furnace  of  affliction  may  be  fierce,  but  it  refineth  thy 
soul, 

The  good  of  one  meek  thought  shall  outweigh  years  of  tor- 
ment. 

Nevertheless,  wretched  man,  if  thy  bad  heart  be  hardened  in 
the  flame, 

Being  earth-born  as  of  clay,  and  not  of  moulded  wax, 

Judge  not  the  hand  that  smiteth,  as  if  thou  wert  visited  in 
wrath ; 

Reproach  thyself,  for  He  is  Justice : repent  thee,  for  He  is 
Mercy. 

Cease,  fond  caviller  at  wisdom,  to  be  satisfied  that  every- 
thing is  wrong : 

Be  sure  there  is  good  necessity,  even  for  the  flourishing  of 
evil. 

Would  the  eye  delight  in  perpetual  noon  7 or  the  ear  in  un- 
qualified harmonies  7 

Hath  winter’s  frost  no  welcome,  contrasting  sturdily  with 
summer  7 

Couldst  thou  discern  benevolence,  if  there  were  no  sorrows 
to  be  soothed  7 


series  i.J  OF  GOOD  IN  THINGS  EVIL.  77 

Or  discover  the  resources  of  contrivance,  if  nothing  stood  op- 
posed to  the  means  7 

What  were  power  without  an  enemy  7 or  mercy  without  an 
object  7 

Or  truth,  where  the  false  were  impossible  7 or  love,  where 
love  were  a debt  7 

The  characters  of  God  were  but  idle,  if  all  things  around 
him  were  perfection, 

And  virtues  might  slumber  on  like  death,  if  they  lacked  the 
opportunities  of  evil. 

There  is  one  all-perfect,  and  but  one ; man  dare  not  reason 
of  His  Essence. 

But  there  must  be  deficiencies  in  heaven,  to  leave  room  for 
progression  in  bliss : 

A realm  of  unqualified  best  were  a stagnant  pool  of  being, 

And  the  circle  of  absolute  perfection,  the  abstract  cipher  of 
indolence. 

Sin  is  an  awful  shadow,  but  it  addeth  new  glories  to  the 
light ; 

Sin  is  a black  foil,  but  it  setteth  off  the  jewelry  of  heaven : 

Sin  is  the  traitor  that  hath  dragged  the  majesty  of  mercy  into 
action ; 

Sin  is  the  whelming  argument,  to  justify  the  attribute  of 
vengeance. 

It  is  a deep  dark  thought,  and  needeth  to  be  diligently  studied, 

But  perchance  evil  was  essential,  that  God  should  be  seen  of 
his  creatures : 

For  where  perfection  is  not,  there  lacketh  possible  good, 

And  the  absence  of  better  that  m ght  be,  taketh  from  the 
praise  of  it  is  well : 

And  creatures  must  be  finite,  and  finite  cannot  be  perfect ; 

Therefore,  though  in  small  degree,  creation  involveth  evil. 

He  chargeth  his  angels  with  folly,  and  the  heavens  are  not 
clean  in  His  sight : 

For  every  existence  in  the  universe  hath  either  imperfection 
or  Godhead : 


7* 


73  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  the  light  that  blazeth  but  in  One,  must  be  softened  with 
shadow  for  the  many. 

There  is  then  good  in  evil ; or  none  could  have  known  his 
Maker ; 

No  spiritual  intellect  or  essence  could  have  gazed  on  his  high 
perfections, 

No  angel  harps  could  have  tuned  the  wonders  of  his  wisdom, 

No  ransomed  souls  have  praised  the  glories  of  his  mercy, 

No  howling  fiends  have  shown  the  terrors  of  his  justice, 

But  God  would  have  dwelt  alone  in  the  fearful  solitude  of 
holiness. 

Nevertheless,  O sinner,  harden  not  thine  heart  in  evil; 

Nor  plume  thee  in  imaginary  triumph,  because  thou  art  not 
valueless  as  vile ; 

Because  thy  dark  abominations  add  lustre  to  the  clarity  of 
Light ; 

Because  a wonder-working  alchemy  draineth  elixir  out  of 
poisons  ; 

Because  the  same  fiery  volcano  that  scorcheth  and  ravageth 
a continent, 

Hath  in  the  broad  blue  bay  cast  up  some  petty  island ; 

Because  to  the  full  demonstration  of  the  qualities  and  acci- 
dents of  good, 

The  swarthy  legions  of  the  devil  have  toiled  as  unwitting 
pioneers ; 

For  sin  is  still  sin : so  hateful  Love  doth  hate  it ; 

A blot  on  the  glory  of  creation,  which  justice  must  wipe  out. 

Sin  is  a loathsome  leprosy,  fretting  the  white  robe  of  inno- 
cence ; m 

A rottenness,  eating  out  the  heart  of  the  royal  cedars  of  Le- 
banon ; 

A pestilential  blast,  the  terror  of  that  holy  pilgrimage  ; 

A rent  in  the  sacred  veil,  whereby  God  left  his  temple. 

Therefore,  consider  thyself,  thou  that  dost  not  sorrow  for  thy 
guilt: 


series  i.J  OF  GOOD  IN  THINGS  EVIL.  79 

Fear  evil,  or  face  its  enemy  : dread  sin,  or  dare  justice. 

Yea,  saith  the  Spirit:  and  their  works  do  follow  them ; 

Habits,  and  thoughts,  and  deeds,  are  shadows  and  satellites 
of  self. 

What ! shall  the  claimant  to  a throne  stand  forward  with  a 
rabble  rout, — 

Meanness,  impiety,  and  lust ; riot  and  indolence  and  vanity  ? 

Nay,  man ! the  train  wherewith  thou  comest  attend  whither 
thou  shalt  go. 

A throne  for  a king’s  son,  but  an  inner  dungeon  for  the  felon. 

For  a man’s  works  do  follow  him : bodily,  standing  in  the 
judgment, 

Behold  the  false  accuser,  behold  the  slandered  saint ; 

The  slave,  and  his  bloody  driver ; the  poor,  and  his  generous 
friend ; 

The  simple  dupe,  and  the  crafty  knave  : the  murderer,  and — 
his  victim ! 

Yet  are  all  in  many  characters ; the  best  stand  guilty  at  the 
bar; 

And  he  that  seemed  the  worst  may  have  most  of  real  excuse. 

The  talents  unto  which  a man  is  born,  be  they  few  or  many, 

Are  dropped  into  the  balance  of  account,  working  unlooked- 
for  changes, 

And  perchance  the  convict  from  the  galleys  may  stand  above 
the  hermit  from  his  cell, 

For  that  the  obstacles  in  one  outweigh  the  propensions  in  the 
other. 

There  be,  who  have  made  themselves  friends,  yea,  by  un- 
righteous mammon, — 

Friends,  ready  waiting  as  an  escort  to  those  everlasting  habi- 
tations ; 

Embodied  in  living  witnesses,  thronging  to  meet  them  in  a 
cloud, 

Charity,  meekness  and  truth,  zeal,  sincerity  and  patience. 

There  be,  who  have  made  themselves  foes,  yea  by  honest  gain, 


80  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Foes,  whose  plaint  must  have  its  answer,  before  the  bright 
portal  is  unbarred : 

Pride,  and  selfishness,  and  sloth,  apathy,  wrath  and  false- 
hood, 

Bind  to  their  everlasting  toil  many  that  must  weary  in  the 
fires. 

Love  hath  a power  and  a longing  to  save  the  gathered  world, 

And  rescue  universal  man  from  the  hunting  hell-hounds  of 
his  doings : 

Yet  few,  here  one,  and  there  one,  scanty  as  the  gleaning  after 
harvest, 

Are  glad  of  the  robes  of  praise  which  Mercy  would  fling 
around  the  naked ; 

But  wrapping  closer  to  their  skin  the  poisoned  tunic  of  their 
works, 

They  stand  in  self-dependence  to  perish  in  abandonment  of 
God. 

A 

OF  PRAYER 

A wicked  man  scorneth  prayer,  in  the  shallow  sophistry  of 
reason ; 

He  derideth  the  silly  hope,  that  God  can  be  moved  by  sup- 
plication : — 

Can  the  unchangeable  be  changed  or  waver  in  his  purpose  ? 

Can  the  weakness  of  pity  affect  him  ? Should  he  turn  at 
the  bidding  of  a man  1 

Methought  he  ruled  all  things,  and  ye  called  his  decrees  im- 
mutable, 

But  if  thus  he  listeneth  to  words,  wherein  is  the  firmness  of 
his  will  ? — 

So  I heard  the  speech  of  the  wicked,  and,  lo,  it  was  smoother 
than  oil ; 

But  I knew  that  his  reasonings  were  false,  for  the  promise 
of  the  Scripture  is  true : 


OF  PRAYER. 


SERIES  l.J 


81 


Yet  was  my  soul  in  darkness,  for  his  words  were  too  hard 
for  me ; 

Till  I turned  to  my  God  in  prayer,  for  I know  he  heareth 
always. 

Then  I looked  abroad  on  the  earth,  and,  behold,  the  Lord 
was  in  all  things ; 

Yet  saw  I not  his  hand  in  aught,  but  perceived  that  he  work- 
eth  by  means ; 

Yea,  and  the  power  of  the  mean  proveth  the  wisdom  that 
ordained  it, 

Yea,  and  no  act  is  useless,  to  the  hurling  of  a stone  through 
the  air. 

So  I turned  my  thoughts  to  supplication,  and  beheld  the  mer- 
cies of  Jehovah, 

And  I saw  sound  argument  was  still  the  faithful  friend  of 
godliness ; 

For  as  the  rock  of  the  affections  is  the  solid  approval  of 
reason, 

Even  so  the  temple  of  Religion  is  founded  on  the  basis  of 
Philosophy. 


Scorner,  thy  thoughts  are  weak,  they  reach  not  the  summit 
of  the  matter ; 

Go  to,  for  the  mouth  of  a child  might  show  thee  the  mystery 
of  orayer: 

Verily  there  is  no  change  in  the  counsels  of  the  Mighty 
Ruler : 

Verily,  his  purpose  is  strong,  and  rooted  in  the  depths  of  ne- 
cessity : 

But  who  hath  shown  thee  his  purpose,  who  hath  made 
known  to  thee  his  will  ? 

When,  O gainsayer,  hast  thou  been  schooled  in  the  secrets 
of  wisdom? 

Fate  is  a creature  of  God,  and  all  things  move  in  their  orbits, 

And  that  which  shall  surely  happen  is  known  unto  him  from 
eternity ; 


82  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

But  as,  in  the  field  of  nature,  he  useth  the  sinews  of  the  ox, 

And  commandeth  diligence  and  toil,  himself  giving  the  in- 
crease ; 

So,  in  the  kingdom  of  his  grace,  granteth  he  omnipotence  to 
prayer, 

For  he  knoweth  what  thou  wilt  ask,  and  what  thou  wilt  ask 
aright. 

No  man  can  pray  in  faith,  whose  prayer  is  not  grounded  on  a 
promise : 

Yet  a good  man  commendeth  all  things  to  the  righteous  wis- 
dom of  his  God : 

For  those  who  pray  in  faith,  trust  the  immutable  Jehovah, 

And  they,  who  ask  blessings  unpromised,  lean  on  uncove- 
nanted mercy. 

Man,  regard  thy  prayers  as  a purpose  of  love  to  thy  soul ; 

Esteem  the  providence  that  led  to  them  as  an  index  of  God’s 
goodwill : 

So  shalt  thou  pray  aright,  and  thy  words  shall  meet  with  ac- 
ceptance. 

Also,  in  pleading  for  others,  be  thankful  for  the  fulness  of  thy 
prayer, 

For  if  thou  art  ready  to  ask,  the  Lord  is  more  ready  to  be- 
stow. 

The  salt  preserveth  the  sea,  and  the  saints  uphold  the  earth ; 

Their  prayers  are  the  thousand  pillars  that  prop  the  canopy 
of  nature. 

Verily,  an  hour  without  prayer,  from  some  terrestrial  mind, 

Were  a curse  in  the  calendar  of  time,  a spot  of  the  blackness 
of  darkness. 

Perchance  the  terrible  day,  when  the  world  must  rock  into 
ruins, 

Will  be  one  unwhitened  by  prayer, — shall  He  find  faith  on 
the  earth  ? 

For  there  is  an  economy  of  mercy,  as  of  wisdom,  and  power, 
and  means ; 


SERIES  I.} 


OF  PRAYER. 


83 


Neither  is  one  blessing  granted,  unbesought  from  the  treasury 
of  good: 

And  the  charitable  heart  of  the  Being,  to  depend  upon  whom 
is  happiness, 

Never  withholdeth  a bounty,  so  long  as  his  subject  prayeth ; 
Yea,  ask  what  thou  wilt,  to  the  second  throne  in  heaven, 

It  is  thine,  for  whom  it  was  appointed ; there  is  no  limit  unto 
prayer : 

But  and  if  thou  cease  to  ask,  tremble,  thou  self-suspended 
creature, 

For  thy  strength  is  cut  off  as  was  Samson’s : and  the  hour  of 
thy  doom  is  come. 

Frail  art  thou,  O man,  as  a bubble  on  the  breaker, 

Weak  and  governed  by  externals,  like  a poor  bird  caught  in 
the  storm ; 

Yet  thy  momentary  breath  can  still  the  raging  waters, 

Thy  hand  can  touch  a lever  that  may  move  the  world. 

O Merciful,  we  strike  eternal  covenant  with  thee, 

For  man  may  take  for  his  ally  the  King  who  ruleth  kings : 
How  strong,  yet  how  most  weak,  in  utter  poverty  how  rich, 
What  possible  omnipotence  to  good  is  dormant  in  a man! 
Behold  that  fragile  form  of  delicate  transparent  beauty, 
Who;e  light-blue  eye  and  hectic  cheek  are  lit  by  the  balefires 
of  decline, 

All  droopingly  she  lieth,  as  a dew- laden  lily, 

Her  flaxen  tresses,  rashly  luxuriant,  dank  with  unhealthy 
moisture ; 

Hath  not  thy  heart  said  of  her,  Alas ! poor  child  of  weakness  'l 
Thou  hast  erred;  Goliath  of  Gath  stood  not  in  half  her 
strength : 

Terribly  she  fighteth  in  the  van  as  the  virgin  daughter  of 
Orleans, 

She  beareth  the  banner  of  heaven,  her  onset  is  the  rushing 
- cataract, 

Seraphim  rally  at  her  side,  and  the  captain  of  that  host  is  God, 


84  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  the  serried  ranks  of  evil  are  routed  by  the  lightning  of 

her  eye, 

She  is  the  King’s  remembrancer,  and  steward  of  many  bless- 
ings, 

Holding  the  buckler  of  security  over  her  unthankful  land : 

For  that  weak  fluttering  heart  is  strong  in  faith  assured, 

Dependence  is  her  mi;,*  it,  and  behold — she  prayeth. 

Angels  are  round  the  good  man,  to  catch  the  incense  of  his 
prayers, 

And  they  fly  to  minister  kindness  to  those  for  whom  he 
pleadeth ; 

For  the  altar  of  his  heart  is  lighted,  and  burneth  before  God 
continually, 

And  he  breatheth,  conscious  of  his  joy,  the  native  atmosphere 
of  heaven, 

Yea,  though  poor,  and  contemned,  and  ignorant  of  this 
world’s  wisdom, 

111  can  his  fellows  spare  him  though  they  know  not  of  his 
value. 

Thousands  bewail  a hero,  and  a nation  mourneth  for  its  king, 

But  the  whole  universe  lamenteth  the  loss  of  a man  of  prayer. 

Verily,  were  it  not  for  One,  who  sitteth  on  his  rightful  throne, 

Crowned  with  a rainbow  of  emerald,  (1B)  the  green  memorial 
of  earth, — 

For  one,  a mediating  man,  that  hath  clad  his  Godhead  with 
mortality, 

And  offereth  prayer  without  ceasing,  the  royal  priest  of 
Nature, 

Matter  and  life  and  mind  had  sunk  into  dark  annihilation, 

And  the  lightning  frown  of  Justice  withered  the  world  into 
nothing. 

Thus,  O worshipper  of  reason,  thou  hast  heard  the  sum  of  the 
matter ; 

And  woe  to  his  hairy  scalp  that  restraineth  prayer  before  God. 


series  I.J  THE  LORD’S  PRAYER.  85 

Prayer  is  a creature’s  strength,  his  very  breath  and  being ; 

Prayer  is  the  golden  key  that  can  open  the  wicket  of  Mercy ; 

Prayer  is  the  magic  sound  that  saith  to  Fate,  So  be  it ; 

Prayer  is  the  slender  nerve  that  moveth  the  muscles  of  Om- 
nipotence. 

Wherefore,  pray,  O creature,  for  many  and  great  are  thy 
wants ; 

Thy  mind,  thy  conscience,  and  thy  being,  thy  rights  com- 
mend thee  unto  prayer, 

The  cure  of  all  cares,  the  grand  panacea  for  all  pains. 

Doubt’s  destroyer,  ruin’s  remedy,  the  antidote  to  all  anxieties. 

So  then,  God  is  true,  and  yet  He  hath  not  changed ; 

It  is  he  that  sendeth  the  petition,  to  answer  it  according  to 
his  will. 

THE  LORD’S  PRAYER. 

Inquirest  thou,  O man,  wherewithal  may  I come  unto  the 
Lord? 

And  with  what  wonder-working  sounds  may  I move  the 
majesty  of  heaven  ? 

There  is  a model  to  thy  hand  ; upon  that  do  thou  frame  thy 
supplication. 

Wisdom  hath  measured  its  words,  and  redemption  urgeth 
thee  to  use  them. 

Call  thy  God  thy  Father,  and  yet  not  thine  alone, 

For  thou  art  but  one  of  many,  thy  brotherhood  is  with  all : 

Remember  his  high  estate,  that  he  dwelleth  King  of  Heaven ; 

So  shall  thy  thoughts  be  humbled,  nor  love  be  unmixed  with 
reverence : 

Be  thy  first  petition  unselfish,  the  honor  of  Him  who  made 
thee, 

And  that  in  the  depths  of  thy  heart  his  memory  be  shrined 
in  holiness. 

8 


86  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Pray  for  that  blessed  time  when  good  shall  triumph  over  evil, 

And  one  universal  temple  echo  the  perfections  of  Jehovah: 

Bend  thou  to  his  good-will,  and  subserve  his  holy  purposes, 

Till  in  thee,  and  those  around  thee,  grow  a little  heaven 
upon  earth : 

Humbly,  as  a grateful  almsman,  beg  thy  bread  of  Cod- 

Bread  for  thy  triple  estate,  for  thou  hast  a trinity  of  nature  : 

Humility  smootneth  the  way,  and  gratitude  softeneth  the 
heart, 

Be  then  thy  prayer  for  pardon  mingled  with  the  tear  of  peni- 
tence ; 

Yea,  and  while,  all  unworthy,  thou  leanest  on  the  hand  that 
should  smite, 

Thou  canst  not  from  thy  fellows  withhold  thy  less  forgive- 
ness. 

To  thy  father  thy  weaknesses  are  known,  and  thou  hast  not 
hid  thy  sin, 

Therefore  ask  him,  in  all  trust,  to  lead  thee  from  the  dangers 
of  temptation ; 

While  the  last  petition  of  the  soul  that  breatheth  on  the  con- 
fines of  prayer 

Is  deliverance  from  sin  and  the  evil  one,  the  miseries  of  earth 
and  hell. 

And  wherefore,  child  of  hope,  should  the  rock  of  thy  confi- 
dence be  sure  7 

Thou  knowest  that  God  heareth,  and  promiseth  an  answer 
of  peace  ; 

Thou  knowest  that  he  is  King,  and  none  can  stay  his  hand; 

Thou  knowest  his  power  to  be  boundless,  for  there  is  none 
other : 

And  to  Him  thou  givest  glory,  as  a creature  of  his  workman- 
ship and  favor, 

For  the  never-ending  term  of  thy  saved  and  bright  existence. 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  DISCRETION. 


87 


OF  DISCRETION. 

For  what  then  was  I born  7 — to  fill  the  circling  year 
With  daily  toil  for  daily  bread,  with  sordid  pains  and  plea- 
sures ? — 

To  walk  this  chequered  world,  alternate  light  and  darkness, 
The*  day-dream  of  deep  thought  followed  by  the  night- 
dreams  of  fancy  7 — 

To  be  one  in  a full  procession  7 — to  dig  my  kindred  clay  7 — 
To  decorate  the  gallery  of  art? — to  clear  a few  acres  of 
forest  7 

For  more  than  these,  my  soul,  thy  God  hath  lent  thee  life. 

Is  then  that  noble  end  to  feed  this  mind  with  knowledge, 

To  mix  for  mine  own  thirst  the  sparkling  wine  of  wisdom, 

To  light  with  many  lamps  the  caverns  of  my  heart, 

To  reap,  in  the  furrows  of  my  brain,  good  harvest  of  right 
reasons  7 — 

For  more  than  these,  my  soul,  thy  God  hath  lent  thee  life. 

Is  it  to  grow  stronger  in  self-government,  to  check  the  chafing 
will, 

To  curb  with  tightening  rein  the  mettled  steeds  of  passion, 
To  welcome  with  calm  heart,  far  in  the  voiceless  desert, 

The  gracious  visitings  of  heaven  that  bless  my  single  self? — 
For  more  than  these,  my  soul,  thy  God  hath  lent  thee  life. 
To  aim  at  thine  own  happiness,  is  an  end  idolatrous  and  evil, 
In  earth,  yea  in  heaven,  if  thou  seek  it  for  itself,  seeking  thou 
shalt  not  find. 

Happiness  is  a roadside  flower,  growing  on  the  highways  of 
Usefulness, 

Plucked,  it  shall  wither  in  thy  hand ; passed  by,  it  is  fra- 
grance to  thy  spirit : 

Love  not  thine  own  soul,  regard  not  thine  own  weal, 
Trample  the  thyme  beneath  thy  feet;  be  useful,  and  be 
happy ! 


88  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  I. 

Thus  unto  fair  conclusions  argueth  generous  youth, 

And  quickly  he  starteth  on  his  course,  knight-errant  to  do 
good. 

His  sword  is  edged  with  arguments,  his  vizor  terrible  with 
censures ; 

He  goeth  full  mailed  in  faith,  and  zeal  is  flaming  at  his 
heart. 

Yet  one  thing  helacketh,  the  Mentor  of  the  mind, 

The  quiet  whisper  of  Discretion — Thy  time  is  not  yet  come. 
For  he  smiteth  an  oppressor ; and  vengeance  for  that  smiting 
Is  dealt  in  double  stripes  on  the  faint  body  of  the  victim  : 

He  is  glad  to  give  and  to  distribute  ; and  clamorous  pauper- 
ism feasteth, 

While  honest  labor,  pining,  hideth  his  sharp  ribs  : 

He  challengeth  to  a fair  field  that  subtle  giant  Infidelity, 

And  worsted  in  the  unequal  fight,  strengtheneth  the  hands 
of  error : 

He  hasteth  to  teach  and  preach,  as  the  war-horse  rusheth  to 
the  battle, 

And  to  pave  a way  for  truth,  would  break  up  the  Appenines 
of  prejudice : 

He  wearieth  by  stale  proofs,  where  none  looked  for  a reason, 
And  to  the  listening  ear  will  urge  the  false  argument  of  feel- 
ing. 

So  hath  it  often  been,  that,  judging  by  results, 

The  hottest  friends  of  truth  have  done  her  deadliest  wrong. 
Alas  ! for  there  are  enemies  without,  glad  enough  to  parley 
with  a traitor, 

And  a zealot  will  let  down  the  drawbridge,  to  prove  his  own 
prowess : 

Yea,  from  within  will  he  break  away  a breach  in  the  citadel 
of  truth, 

That  he  may  fill  the  gap,  for  fame,  with  his  own  weak  body. 

Zeal  without  judgment  is  an  evil,  though  it  be  zeal  unto 
good: 


series  i.J  OF  DISCRETION.  89 

Touch  not  the  ark  with  unclean  hand,  yea,  though  it  seem 
to  totter. 

There  are  evil  who  work  good,  and  there  are  good  who  work 
evil, 

And  foolish  backers  of  wisdom  have  brought  on  her  many 
reproaches. 

Truth  hath  more  than  enough  to  combat  in  the  minds  of  all 
men, 

For  the  mist  of  sense  is  a thick  veil,  and  sin  hath  warped 
their  wills ; 

Yet  doth  an  officious  helper  awkwardly  prevent  her  victory, — 

These  thy  wounded  hands  were  smitten  in  the  house  of 
friends : — 

To  point  out  a meaning  in  her  words,  he  will  blot  those 
words  with  his  finger ; 

And  winnow  chaff  into  the  eyes,  before  he  hath  wheat  to 
show : 

He  will  heap  sturdy  logs  on  a faint  expiring  fire, 

And  with  a room  in  flames,  will  cast  the  casement  open  ; 

By  a shoulder  to  the  wheel  downhill  harasseth  the  laboring 
beast, 

And  where  obstruction  were  needed,  will  harm  by  an  ill- 
judged  thrusting-on. 

A vessel  foundereth  at  sea  if  a storm  have  unshipped  the 
rudder ; 

And  a mind  with  much  sail  shall  require  heavy  ballast. 

Take  a lever  by  the  middle,  thou  shalt  seem  to  prove  it  pow- 
erless, 

Argue  for  truth  indiscreetly,  thou  shalt  toil  for  falsehood. 

There  is  plenty  of  room  for  a peaceable  man  m the  most 
thronged  assembly ; 

But  a quarrelsome  spirit  is  straitened  in  the  open  field  : 

Many  a teacher,  lacking  judgment,  hindereth  his  own  les- 
sons ; 

And  the  savory  mess  of  pottage  is  spoiled  by  a bitter  herb : 

The  garment  woven  of  a piece  is  rashly  torn  by  schism, 


90  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY  [series  i. 

Because  its  unwise  claimants  will  not  cast  lots  for  its  pos- 
session. 

Discretion  guide  thee  on  thy  way,  nobly-minded  youth, 

Help  thee  to  humor  infirmities,  to  wink  at  innocent  errors, 

To  take  small  count  of  forms,  to  bear  with  prejudice  and 
fancy : 

Discretion  guard  thine  asking,  discretion  aid  thine  answer, 

Teach  thee  that  well-timed  silence  hath  more  eloquence 
than  speech, 

Whisper  thee,  thou  art  Weakness,  though  thy  cause  be 
strength, 

And  tell  thee,  the  keystone  of  an  arch  can  be  loosened  with 
least  labor  from  within. 

The  snows  of  Hecla  lie  around  its  troubled  smoking  Geysers  ; 

Let  the  cool  streams  of  prudence  temper  the  hot  spring  of 
zeal : 

So  shalt  thou  gain  thine  honorable  end,  nor  lose  the  midway 
prize, 

So  shall  thy  life  be  useful,  and  thy  young  heart  happy. 


OF  TRIFLES. 

Yet  once  more,  saith  the  fool,  yet  once,  and  is  it  not  a little 
one  ? 

Spare  me  this  folly  yet  an  hour,  for  what  is  one  among  so 
many? 

And  he  blindeth  his  conscience  with  lies,  and  stupifieth  his 
heart  with  doubts ; — 

Whom  shall  I harm  in  this  matter  ? and  a little  ill  breedeth 
much  good ; 

My  thoughts,  are  they  not  mine  own  ? and  they  leave  no 
mark  behind  them ; 

And  if  God  so  pardoneth  crime,  how  should  these  petty  sins 
affect  him  ? — 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  TRIFLES. 


91 


So  he  transgresseth  yet  again,  and  falleth  by  little  and  little, 

Till  the  ground  crumble  beneath  him,  and  he  sinketh  in  the 
gulf  despairing. 

For  there  is  nothing  in  the  earth  so  small  that  it  may  not 
produce  great  things, 

And  no  swerving  from  a right  line,  that  may  not  lead  eter- 
nally astray. 

A landmark  tree  was  once  a seed ; and  the  dust  in  the  balance 
maketh  a difference ; 

And  the  cairn  is  heaped  high  by  each  one  flinging  a pebble ; 

The  dangerous  bar  in  the  harbor’s  mouth  is  only  grains  of 
sand ; 

And  the  shoal  that  hath  wrecked  a navy  is  the  work  of  a 
colony  of  worms : 

Yea,  and  a despicable  gnat  may  madden  the  mighty  elephant ; 

And  the  living  rock  is  worn  by  the  diligent  flow  of  the  brook- 

Little  art  thou,  O man,  and  in  trifles  thou  contendest  with 
thine  equals, 

For  atoms  must  crowd  upon  atoms,  ere  crime  groweth  to  be  a 
giant. 

What,  is  thy  servant  a dog  ? — not  yet  wilt  thou  grasp  the 
dagger, 

Not  yet  wilt  thou  laugh  with  the  scoffers,  not  yet  betray  the 
innocent ; 

But  if  thou  nourish  in  thy  heart  the  reveries  of  injury  or 
passion, 

And  travel  in  mental  heat  the  mazy  labyrinths  of  guilt, 

And  then  conceive  it  possible,  and  then  reflect  on  it  as  done, 

And  use,  by  little  and  little,  thyself  to  regard  thyself  a villain, 

Not  long  will  crime  be  absent  from  the  voice  that  doth  invoke 
him  to  thy  heart, 

And  bitterly  wilt  thou  grieve,  that  the  buds  have  ripened  into 
poison. 

A spark  is  a molecule  of  matter,  yet  may  it  kindle  the  world ; 

Vast  is  the  mighty  ocean,  but  drops  have  made  it  vast. 


92 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


Despise  not  thou  a small  thing  either  for  evil  or  for  good ; 

For  a look  may  work  thy  ruin  or  a.  word  create  thy  wealth : 

The  walking  this  way  or  that,  the  casual  stopping  or  hasten- 
ing, 

Hath  saved  life,  and  destroyed  it,  hath  cast  down  and  built 
up  fortunes. 

Commit  thy  trifles  unto  God,  for  to  him  is  nothing  trivial ; 

And  it  is  but  the  littles  of  man  that  seeth  no  greatness  in  a 
trifle. 

All  things  are  infinite  in  parts,  and  the  moral  is  as  the  ma- 
terial, 

Neither  is  anything  vast,  but  it  is  compacted  of  atoms. 

Thou  art  wise,  and  shalt  find  comfort,  if  thou  study  thy 
pleasure  in  trifles, 

For  slender  joys,  often  repeated,  fall  as  sunshine  on  the  heart ; 

Thou  art  wise,  if  thou  beat  off"  petty  troubles,  nor  suffer  their 
stinging  to  fret  thee ; 

Thrust  not  thine  hand  among  the  thorns,  but  with  a leathern 
glove. 

Regard  nothing  lightly  which  the  wisdom  of  Providence  hath 
ordered  ; 

And  therefore  consider  all  things  that  happen  unto  thee  or 
unto  others. 

The  warrior  that  stood  against  a host,  may  be  pierced  unto 
death  by  a needle ; 

And  the  saint  that  feareth  not  the  fire,  may  perish  the 
victim  of  a thought : 

A mote  in  the  gunner’s  eye  is  as  bad  as  a spike  in  the  gun ; 

And  the  cable  of  a furlong  is  lost  through  an  ill- wrought 
inch. 

The  streams  of  small  pleasures  fill  the  lake  of  happiness : 

And  the  deepest  wretchedness  of  life  is  continuance  of  petty 
pains. 

A fool  observeth  nothing,  and  seemeth  wise  unto  himself ; 

A wise  man  heedeth  all  things,  and  in  his  own  eyes  is  a 
fool : 


series  i.J  OF  RECREATION.  93 

He  that  wondereth  at  nothing  hath  no  capabilities  of  bliss ; 

But  he  that  scrutinizeth  trifles  hath  a store  of  pleasure  to 
his  hand. 

If  pestilence  stalk  through  the  land,  ye  say,  This  is  God’s 
doing ; 

Is  it  not  also  His  doing,  when  an  aphis  creepeth  on  a rose- 
bud 7 — 

If  an  avalanche  roll  from  its  Alp,  ye  tremble  at  the  will  of 
Providence ; 

Is  not  that  will  concerned  when  the  sear  leaves  fall  from  the 
poplar  7 — 

A thing  is  great  or  little  only  to  a mortal’s  thinking, 

But  abstracted  from  the  body,  all  things  are  alike  impor- 
tant : 

The  Ancient  of  Days  noteth  in  his  book  the  idle  converse  of 
a creature, 

And  happy  and  wise  is  the  man  to  whose  thought  existeth 
not  a trifle. 


OF  RECREATION. 

To  join  advantage  to  amusement,  to  gather  profit  with  plea- 
sure, 

Is  the  wise  man’s  necessary  aim,  when  he  lieth  in  the  shade 
of  recreation. 

For  he  cannot  fling  aside  his  mind,  nor  bar  up  the  floodgates 
of  his  wisdom ; 

Yea,  though  he  strain  after  folly,  his  mental  monitor  shall 
check  him : 

For  knowledge  and  ignorance  alike  have  laws  essential  to 
their  being, — 

The  sage  studieth  amusements,  and  the  simple  laugheth  in 
his  studies. 

Few,  but  full  of  understanding,  are  the  books  of  the  library 
of  God, 


94  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  fitting  for  all  seasons  are  the  gain  and  the  gladness  they 
bestow : 

The  volume  of  mystery  and  Grace,  for  the  hour  of  deep  com- 
munings, 

When  the  soul  considereth  intensely  the  startling  marvel  of 
itself: 

The  book  of  destiny  and  Providence  for  the  time  of  sober  study, 

When  the  mind  gleaneth  wisdom  from  the  olive  grove  of 
history : 

And  the  cheerful  pages  of  Nature,  to  gladden  the  pleasant 
holiday, 

When  the  task  of  duty  is  complete,  and  the  heart  swelleth 
high  with  satisfaction. 

The  soul  may  not  safely  dwell  too  long  with  the  deep  things 
of  futurity; 

The  mind  may  not  always  be  bent  back,  like  the  Parthian, 
straining  at  the  past : (16) 

And,  if  thou  art  wearied  with  wrestling  on  the  broad  arena 
of  science, 

Leave  awhile  thy  friendly  foe,  half  vanquished  in  the  dust, 

Refresh  thy  jaded  limbs,  return  with  vigor  to  the  strife, — 

Thou  shalt  easier  find  thyself  his  master,  for  the  vacant  in- 
terval of  leisure. 

That  which  may  profit  and  amuse  is  gathered  from  the  vo- 
lume i f creation, 

For  every  chapter  therein  teemeth  with  the  playfulness  of 
wisdom. 

The  elements  of  all  things  are  the  same,  though  nature  hath 
mixed  them  with  a difference, 

And  Learning  delighteth  to  discover  the  affinity  of  seeming 
opposites : 

So  out  of  great  things  and  small  draweth  he  the  secrets  of 
the  universe, 

And  argueth  the  cycles  of  the  stars,  from  a pebble  flung  by  a 
child. 


series  i.J  OF  RECREATION.  95 

It  is  pleasant  to  note  all  plants,  from  the  rush  to  the  spread- 
ing cedar, 

From  the  giant  king  of  palms,  (f)  to  the  lichen  that  staineth 
its  stem: 

To  watch  the  workings  of  instinct,  that  grosser  reason  of 
brutes, — 

The  river-horse  browsing  in  the  jungle,  the  plover  screaming 
on  the  moor, 

The  cayman,  basking  on  a mud-bank,  and  the  walrus  anchored 
to  an  iceberg. 

The  dog  at  his  master’s  feet,  and  the  milch-kine  lowing  in  the 
meadow ; 

To  trace  the  consummate  skill  that  hath  modelled  the  anato- 
my of  insects, 

Small  fowls  that  sun  their  wings  on  the  petals  of  wild 
flowers ; 

To  learn  a use  in  the  beetle,  and  more  than  a beauty  in  the 
butterfly ; 

To  recognise  affections  in  a moth,  and  look  with  admiration 
on  a spider. 

It  is  glorious  to  gaze  upon  the  firmament,  and  see  from  far 
the  mansions  of  the  blest, 

Each  distant  shining  world,  a kingdom  for  one  of  the  redeemed; 

To  read  the  antique  history  of  earth,  stamped  upon  those 
medals  in  the  rocks, 

Which  Design  hath  rescued  from  decay,  to  tell  of  the  green 
infancy  of  time ; 

To  gather  from  the  unconsidered  shingle  mottled  starlike 
agates, 

Full  of  unstoried  flowers  in  the  bubbling  bloom-chalcedony ; 

Or  gay  and  curious  shells,  fretted  with  microscopic  carving, 

Corallines,  and  fresh  seaweeds,  spreading  forth  their  delicate 
branches. 

It  is  an  admirable  lore,  to  learn  the  cause  in  the  change, 

To  study  the  chemistry  of  Nature,  her  grand,  but  simple 
secrets. 


96  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

To  search  out  all  her  wonders,  to  track  the  resources  of  her 
skill, 

To  note  her  kind  compensations,  her  unobtrusive  excellence. 

In  all  it  is  wise  happiness  to  see  the  well-ordained  laws  of 
Jehovah, 

The  harmony  that  filleth  all  his  mind,  the  justice  that  tem- 
pera th  his  bounty, 

The  wonderful  all-prevalent  analogy  that  testifieth  one 
Creator, 

The  broad  arrow  of  the  Great  King,  carved  on  all  the  stores 
of  his  arsenal. 

But  beware,  O worshipper  of  God,  thou  forget  not  him  in 
his  dealings, 

Though  the  bright  emanations  of  his  power  hide  him  in  cre- 
ated glory ; 

For  if,  on  the  sea  of  knowledge,  thou  regardest  not  the  pole- 
star  of  religion, 

Thy  bark  will  miss  her  port,  and  run  upon  the  sand-bar  of 
folly : 

And  if,  enamored  of  the  means,  thou  considerest  not  the 
scope  to  which  they  tend, 

Wherein  art  thou  wiser  than  the  child,  that  is  pleased  with 
toys  and  baubles  7 

Verily,  a trifling  scholar,  thou  heedest  but  the  letter  of  in- 
struction : 

For  as  motive  is  spirit  unto  action,  as  memory  endeareth  place, 

As  the  sun  doth  fertilize  the  earth,  as  affection  quickeneth 
the  heart, 

So  is  the  remembrance  of  God  in  the  varied  wonders  of 
creation. 

Man  hath  found  out  inventions,  to  cheat  him  of  the  weari- 
ness of  life, 

To  help  him  forget  realities,  and  hide  the  misery  of  guilt. 

For  love  of  praise,  and  hope  of  gain,  for  passion  and  delusive 
happiness, 


series  i.J  OF  RECREATION.  97 

He  joineth  the  circle  of  folly,  and  heapeth  <5n  the  fire  of  ex- 
citement ; 

Oftentimes  sadly  out  of  heart  at  the  tiresome  insipidity  of 
pleasure, 

Oftentimes  laboring  in  vain,  convinced  of  the  palpable  deceit : 

Yet  a man  speaketh  to  his  brother,  in  the  voice  of  glad  con- 
gratulation, 

And  thinketh  others  happy,  though  he  himself  be  wretched : 

And  hand  joineth  hand  to  help  in  the  toil  of  amusement, 

While  the  secret  aching  heart  is  vacant  of  all  but  disappoint- 
ment. 

The  cheapest  pleasures  are  the  best ; and  nothing  is  more 
costly  than  sin ; 

Yet  we  mortgage  futurity,  counting  it  but  little  loss : 

Neither  can  a man  delight  in  that  which  breedeth  sorrow, 

Yet  do  we  hunt  for  joy  even  in  the  fires  that  consume  it. 

Whoso  would  find  gladness  may  meet  her  in  the  hovel  of 
poverty, 

Where  benevolence  hath  scattered  around  the  gleanings  of 
the  horn  of  plenty ; 

Whoso  would  sun  himself  in  peace,  may  be  seen  of  her  in 
deeds  of  mercy, 

When  the  pale  lean  cheek  of  the  destitute  is  wet  with  grate- 
ful tears, 

If  the  mind  is  wearied  by  study,  or  the  body  worn  with  sick- 
ness, 

It  is  well  to  lie  fallow  for  awhile,  in  the  vacancy  of  sheer 
amusement ; 

But  when  thou  prosperest  in  health,  and  thine  intellect  can 
soar  untired, 

To  seek  unins  tractive  pleasure  is  to  slumber  on  the  couch  of 
indolence. 


9 


98 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


THE  TRAIN  OF  RELIGION. 

Stay  awhile,  thou  blessed  band,  be  entreated,  daughters  of 
heaven ! 

While  the  chance-met  scholar  of  Wisdom  learneth  your 
sacred  names : 

He  is  resting  a little  from  his  toil,  yet  a little  on  the  borders 
of  earth, 

And  fain  would  he  have  you  his  friends,  to  bid  him  glad 
welcome  hereafter. 

Who  among  the  glorious  art  thou,  that  walkest  a Goddess 
and  a Queen, 

Thy  crown  of  living  stars,  and  a golden  cross  thy  sceptre  7 

Who  among  flowers  of  loveliness  is  she,  thy  seeming  herald, 

Yet  she  boasteth  not  thee  nor  herself,  and  her  garments  are 
plain  in  their  neatness  1 

Wherefore  is  there  one  among  the  train,  whose  eyes  are  red 
with  weeping, 

Yet  is  her  open  forehead  beaming  with  the  sun  of  ecstasy  7 

And  who  is  that  blood-stained  warrior,  with  glory  sitting  on 
his  crest  7 

And  who,  that  solemn  sage,  calm  in  majestic  dignity  7 

Also,  in  the  lengthening  troop  see  I some  clad  in  robes  of 
triumph, 

Whose  fair  and  sunny  faces  I have  known  and  loved  on 
earth : 

Welcome,  ye  glorified  Loves,  Graces,  and  Sciences,  and 
Muses, 

That,  like  sisters  of  charity,  tended  in  this  world’s  hospital ; 

Welcome,  for  verily  I knew,  ye  could  not  but  be  children  of 
the  light, 

Though  earth  hath  soiled  your  robes,  and  robbed  you  of  half 
your  glory ; 


series  i.J  THE  TRAIN  OF  RELIGION.  99 

Welcome,  chiefly  welcome,  for  I find  I have  friends  in 
heaven, 

And  some  I might  scarce  have  looked  for,  as  thou,  light- 
hearted Mirth ; 

Thou  also,  star-robed  Urania ; and  thou,  with  the  curious  glass, 

That  rejoicedst  in  tracking  wisdom  where  the  eye  was  too 
dull  to  note  it : 

And  art  thou,  too,  among  the  blessed,  mild,  much-injured 
Poetry  1 

Who  quickenest  with  light  and  beauty  the  leaden  face  of 
matter, 

Who  not  unheard,  though  silent,  fillest  earth’s  gardens  with 
music, 

And  not  unseen,  though  a spirit,  dost  look  down  upon  us 
from  the  stars, — 

That  hast  been  to  me  for  oil  and  for  wine,  to  cheer  and  up- 
hold my  soul, 

When  wearied,  battling  with  the  surge,  the  stunning  surge 
of  life : 

Of  thee,  for  well  have  I loved  thee,  of  thee  may  I ask  in  hope, 

Who  among  the  glorious  is  she,  that  walketh  a Goddess  and 
a Queen  1 

And  who  that  fair-haired  herald,  and  who  that  weeping 
saint  ? 

And  who  that  mighty  warrior,  and  who  that  solemn  sage  1 

Son,  happy  art  thou  that  Wisdom  hath  led  thee  hitherward : 

For  otherwise  never  hadst  thou  known  the  joy-giving  name 
of  our  Queen ; 

Behold  her,  the  life  of  men,  the  anchor  of  their  shipwrecked 
hopes : 

Behold  her,  the  shepherdess  of  souls,  who  bringeth  back  the 
wanderers  to  God. 

And  for  that  modest  herald,  she  is  named  on  earth,  Humility : 

And  hast  thou  not  known,  my  son,  the  tearful  face  of  Re- 
pentance I 


100  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Faith  is  yon  time-scarred  hero,  walking  in  the  shade  of  his 
laurels ; 

And  Reason,  the  serious  sage,  who  followeth  the  footsteps 
of  Faith  ; 

And  we,  all  we,  are  but  handmaids,  ministers  of  minor  bliss, 

Who  rejoice  to  be  counted  servants  in  the  train  of  a Queen 
so  glorious. 

But  for  her  name,  son  of  man,  it  is  strange  to  the  language 
of  heaven, 

For  those  who  have  never  fallen  need  not  and  may  not 
learn  it : 

Ligeance  we  sware  to  our  God,  and  ligeance  well  have  we 
kept; 

It  is  only  the  band  of  the  redeemed  who  can  tell  thee  the  ful- 
ness of  that  name  : (18) 

Yet  will  I comfort  thee,  my  son,  for  the  love  wherewith  thou 
hast  loved  me, 

And  thou  shalt  touch  for  thyself  the  golden  sceptre  of  Reli- 
gion. 

So  that  blessed  train  passed  by  me  ; but  the  vision  was 
sealed  upon  my  soul ; 

And  its  memory  is  shrined  in  fragrance,  for  the  promise  of 
the  Spirit  was  true : 

I learn  from  the  silent  poem  of  all  creation  round  me, 

How  beautiful  their  feet,  who  follow  in  that  train. 


OF  A TRINITY,  (i®) 

Despise  not,  shrewd  reckoner,  the  God  of  a good  man’s 
worship, 

Neither  let  thy  calculating  folly  gainsay  the  unity  of  three  ; 
Nor  scorn  another’s  creed,  although  he  cannot  solve  thy 
doubts ; . 


series  i.J  OF  A TRINITY.  101 

Reason  is  the  follower  of  faith,  where  he  may  not  be  pre- 
cursor : 

It  is  written,  and  so  we  believe,  waiting  not  for  outward 
proof, 

Inasmuch  as  mysteries  inscrutable  are  the  clear  prerogatives 
of  Godhead. 

Reason  hath  nothing  positive  faith  hath  nothing  doubtful ; 

And  the  height  of  unbelieving  wisdom  is  to  question  all 
things. 

When  there  is  marvel  in  a doctrine,  faith  is  joyful  and 
adoreth ; 

But  when  all  is  clear,  what  place  is  left  for  faith  1 

Tell  me  the  sum  of  thy  knowledge, — is  it  yet  assured  of  any- 
thing 1 

Despise  noi  what  is  wonderful,  when  all  things  are  wonder- 
ful around  thee 

From  the  multitude  of  like  effects,  thou  sayest,  behold  a law : 

And  the  matter  thou  art  baffled  in  unmaking,  is  to  thy  mind 
an  element. 

Then  look  abroad  I pray  thee,  for  analogy  holdeth  every- 
where, 

And  the  Maker  hath  stamped  his  name  on  every  creature  of 
his  hand : 

I know  not  of  a matter  or  a spirit,  that  is  not  three  in  one, 

And  truly  should  account  it  for  a marvel,  a coin  without  the 
image  of  its  Caesar. 

Man  talketh  of  himself  as  ignorant,  but  judgeth  by  himself 
as  wise : ^ 

His  own  guess  counteth  he  truth,  but  the  notions  of  another 
are  his  scorn ; 

But  bear  thou  yet  with  a brother,  whose  thought  may  be 
less  subtle  than  thine  own, 

And  suffer  the  passing  speculation  suggested  by  analogies  to 
faith. 

Like  begetteth  like,  and  the  great  sea  of  Existence 
9* 


302  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

In  each  of  its  uncounted  waves  holdeth  up  a mirror  to  its 
Maker : 

Like  begetteth  like,  and  the  spreading  tree  of  being 
With  each  of  its  trefoil  leaves  pointeth  at  the  trinity  of  God. 
Let  him  whose  eyes  have  been  unfilmed,  read  this  homily  in 
all  things, 

And  thou,  of  duller  sight,  despise  not  him  that  readeth  : 
There  be  three  grand  principles ; life,  generation,  and  obedi- 
ence ; 

Shadowing  in  every  creature,  the  Spirit,  and  the  Father,  and 
the  Son. 

There  be  three  grand  unities,  variously  mixed  in  trinities, 
Three  catholic  divisors  of  the  million  sums  of  matter : 

Yea,  though  science  hath  not  seen  it,  climbing  the  ladder  of 
experiment, 

Let  faith,  in  the  presence  of  her  God,  promulgate  the  mighty 
truth. 

Of  three  sole  elements  all  nature’s  works  consist : 

The  pine,  and  the  rock  to  which  it  clingeth,  and  the  eagle 
sailing  round  it ; 

The  lion,  and  the  northern  whale,  and  the  deeps  wherein  he 
sporteth  ; 

The  lizard  sleeping  in  the  sun  ; the  lightning  flashing  from  a 
cloud ; 

The  rose,  and  the  ruby,  and  the  pearl ; each  one  is  made  of 
three  ; 

And  the  three  be  the  like  ingredients,  mingled  in  diverse 
measures. 

Thyself  hast  within  tlmelf  body,  and  life,  and  mind : 

Matter,  and  breath,  and  instinct,  unite  in  all  the  beasts  of  the 
field; 

Substance,  coherence,  and  weight,  fashion  the  fabrics  of  the 
earth ; 

The  will,  the  doing,  and  the  deed,  combine  to  frame  a fact : 
The  stem,  the  leaf,  and  the  flower ; beginning,  middle,  and 
end ; 


SERIES  i.J  OF  A TRINITY.  103 

Cause,  circumstance,  consequent ; and  every  three  is  one. 

Yea,  the  very  breath  of  man’s  life  consisteth  of  a trinity  of 
vapors, 

And  the  noonday  light  is  a compound,  the  triune  shadow  of 
Jehovah.  (*>) 

Shall  all  things  else  be  in  mystery,  and  God  alone  be  under- 
stood 7 

Shall  finite  fathom  infinity,  though  it  sound  not  the  shallows 
of  creation  7 

Shall  a man  comprehend  his  Maker,  being  yet  a riddle  to 
himself  7 

Or  time  teach  the  lesson  that  eternity  cannot  master  7 

If  God  be  nothing  more  than  one,  a child  can  compass  the 
thought ; 

But  seraphs  fail  to  unravel  the  wondrous  unity  of  three. 

One  verily  He  is,  for  there  can  be  but  one  who  is  all  mighty ; 

Yet  the  oracles  of  nature  and  religion  proclaim  Him  three  in 
one. 

And  where  were  the  value  to  thy  soul,  O miserable  denizen 
of  earth, 

Of  the  idle  pageant  of  the  cross,  where  hung  no  sacrifice  for 
thee  7 

Where  the  worth  to  thine  impotent  heart,  of  that  stirred 
Bethesda, 

All  numbed  and  palsied  as  it  is,  by  the  scorpion  stings  of  sin  7 

No,  thy  trinity  of  nature,  enchained  by  treble  death, 

Helplessly  craveth  of  its  God,  himself  for  three  salvations  : 

The  soul  to  be  reconciled  in  love,  the  mind  to  be  glorified  in 
light, 

While  this  poor  dying  body  leapeth  into  life. 

And  if  indeed  for  us  all  the  costly  ransom  hath  been  paid, 

Bethink  thee,  could  less  than  Deity  have  owned  so  vast  a 
treasure  7 

Could  a man  contend  with  God,  and  stand  against  the  bosses 
of  his  buckler, 


104  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Rendering  the  balance  for  guilt,  atonement  to  the  uttermost  7 

Thou  art  subtle  to  thine  own  thinking,  but  wisdom  judgeth 
thee  a fool, 

Resolving  thou  wilt  not  bow  the  knee  to  a Being  thou  canst 
not  comprehend : 

The  mind  that  could  compass  perfection  were  itself  perfec- 
tion’s equal ; 

And  reason  refuseth  its  homage  to  a God  who  can  be  fully 
understood. 

Thou  that  despisest  mystery,  yet  canst  expound  nothing, 

Wherefore  rejectest  thou  the  fact  that  solveth  the  enigma  of 
all  things  7 

Wherefore  veilest  thou  thine  eyes,  lest  the  light  of  revelation 
sun  them, 

And  puttest  aside  the  key  that  would  open  the  casket  of  truth  7 

The  mind  and  the  nature  of  God  is  shadowed  in  all  his  works, 

And  none  could  have  guessed  of  his  essence,  had  He  not 
uttered  it  himself ; 

Therefore,  thou  child  of  folly,  that  scornest  the  record  of  his 
wisdom, 

Learn  from  the  consistencies  of  nature  the  needful  miracle 
of  Godhead : 

Yea,  let  the  heathen  be  thy  teacher,  who  adoreth  many  gods, 

For  there  is  no  wide-spread  error  that  hath  not  truth  for  its 
beginning. 

Be  content ; thine  eye  cannot  see  all  the  sides  of  a cube  at 
one  view, 

Nor  thy  mind  in  the  self-same  moment  follow  two  ideas  t 

There  are  now  many  marvels  in  thy  creed,  believing  what 
thou  seest, 

Then  let  not  the  conceit  of  intellect  hinder  thee  from  wor- 
shipping mystery. 


ieriks  i.J  OF  THINKING.  105 


OF  THINKING. 

Reflection  is  a flower  of  the  mind,  giving  out  wholesome 
fragrance, 

But  reverie  is  the  same  flower,  when  rank  and  running  to  seed. 

Better  to  read  little  with  thought,  than  much  with  levity  and 
quickness ; 

For  mind  is  not  as  merchandise,  which  decreaseth  in  the 
using, 

But  liker  to  the  passions  of  man,  which  rejoice  and  expand 
in  exertion : 

Yet  live  not  wholly  on  thine  own  ideas,  lest  they  lead  thee 
astray ; 

For  in  spirit,  as  in  substance,  thou  art  a social  creature ; 

And  if  thou  leanest  on  thyself,  thou  rejectedst  the  guidance 
of  thy  betters, 

Yea,  thou  contemnest  all  men,— Am  I not  wlsef  than  they  ?— 

Foolish  vanity  hath  blinded  thee,  and  warped  thy  weak 
judgment ; 

For,  though  new  ideas  flow  from  new  springs,  and  enrich 
the  treasury  of  knowledge, 

Yet  listen*pften,  ere  thou  think  much ; and  look  around  thee 
ere  thou  judgest. 

Memory,  the  daughter  of  Attention,  is  the  teeming  mother 
of  Wisdom, 

And  safer  is  he  that  storeth  knowledge,  than  he  that  would 
make  it  for  himself. 

Imagination  is  not  thought,  neither  is  fancy  reflection : 

Thought  paceth  like  a hoary  sage,  but  imagination  hath 
wings  as  an  eagle ; 

Reflection  sternly  considereth,  nor  is  sparing  to  condemn  evil, 

But  fancy  lightly  laugheth,  in  the  sun-clad  gardens  of  amuse- 
ment. 


106 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


For  the  shy  game  of  the  fowler  the  quickest  shot  is  the  surest ; 

But  with  slow  care  and  measured  aim  the  gunner  pointeth 
his  cannon : 

So  for  all  less  occasions,  the  surface-thought  is  best, 

But  to  be  master  of  the  great  take  thou  heavier  metal. 

It  is  a good  thing,  and  a wholesome,  to  search  out  bosom  sius, 

But  to  be  the  hero  of  selfish  imaginings,  is  the  subtle  poison 
of  pride : 

At  night,  in  the  stillness  of  thy  chamber,  guard  and  curb  thy 
thoughts, 

And  in  recounting  the  doings  of  the  day,  beware  that  thou 
do  it  with  prayer, 

Or  thinking  will  be  an  idle  pleasure,  and  retrospect  yield  no 
fruit. 

Steer  the  bark  of  thy  mind  from  the  syren  isle  of  reverie, 

And  let  a watchful  spirit  mingle  with  the  glance  of  recollec- 
tion : 

Also,  in  examining  thine  heart,  in  sounding  the  fountain 
of  thine  actions, 

Be  more  careful  of  the  evil  than  of  the  good ; and  humble 
thyself  in  thy  sin. 

The  root  of  all  wholesome  thought  is  knowledge  of  thyself, 

For  thus  only  canst  thou  learn  the  character  of  God  toward 
thee. 

He  made  thee,  and  thou  art ; he  redeemed  thee,  and  thou 
wilt  be : 

Thou  art  evil,  yet  he  loveth  thee  ; thou  sinnest,  yet  he  par- 
doneth  thee. 

Though  thou  canst  not  perceive  him,  yet  is  he  in  all  his 
works, 

Infinite  in  grand  outline,  infinite  in  minute  perfection : 

Nature  is  the  chart  of  God,  mapping  out  all  his  attributes  ; 

Art  is  the  shadow  of  his  wisdom,  and  copieth  his  resources. 

Thou  knowest  the  laws  of  matter  to  be  emanations  of  his 
will, 


series  i.J  OF  THINKING.  107 

And  thy  best  reason  for  aught  is  this, — thou,  Lord,  wouldst 
have  it  so. 

Yea,  what  is  any  law  but  an  absolute  decree  of  God  ? 

Or  the  properties  of  matter  and  mind,  but  the  arbitrary  fiats 
of  Jehovah  ? 

He  made  and  ordained  necessity;  he  forged  the  chain  of 

reason ; 

And  holdeth  in  his  own  right  hand  the  first  of  the  golden 
links. 

A fool  regardeth  mind  as  the  spiritual  essence  of  matter, 

And  not  rather  matter  as  the  gross  accident  of  mind. 

Can  finite  govern  infinite,  or  a part  exceed  the  whole, 

Or  the  wisdom  of  God  sit  down  at  the  feet  of  innate  necessity  ? 

Necessity  is  a creature  of  his  hand : for  He  can  never  change ; 

And  chance  hath  no  existence  where  everything  is  needful. 

Canst  thou  measure  Omnipotence,  canst  thou  conceive 
Ubiquity, 

Which  guideth  the  meanest  reptile,  and  quickeneth  the 
brightest  seraph, 

Which  steereth  the  particles  of  dust,  and  commandeth  the 
path  of  the  comet  ? 

To  him  all  things  are  ( qual,  for  all  things  are  necessary. 

The  smith  is  weary  at  his  forge,  and  weldeth  the  metal  care- 
lessly, 

And  the  anchor  breaketh  in  its  bed ; and  the  vessel  founder- 
eth  with  her  crew  : 

A word  of  anger  is  muttered,  engendering  the  midnight  mur- 
der : 

The  sun  bursteth  from  a cloud,  and  maddeneth  the  toiling 
husbandman. 

Shall  these  things  be,  and  God  not  know  it? 

Shall  he  know,  and  not  be  in  them  ? shall  he  see,  and  not  be 
among  them  ? 

And  how  can  they  be  otherwise  than  as  he  knoweth  ? 

Truly,  the  Lord  is  in  all  things ; verily,  he  worketh  in  all. 


108  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Think  thus,  and  thy  thoughts  are  firm,  ascribing  each  cir- 
cumstance to  Him ; 

Yet  know  surely,  and  believe  the  truth,  that  God  willeth  not 
evil : 

For  adversities  are  blessings  in  disguise,  and  wickedness  the 
Lord  abhorreth  ; 

That  He  is  in  all  things  is  an  axiom,  and  that  he  is  righteous 
in  all : 

Ascribe  holiness  to  Him,  while  thou  musest  on  the  mystery 
of  sin, 

For  infinite  can  grasp  that  which  finite  cannot  compass. 

In  works  of  art,  think  justly : what  praise  canst  thou  render 
unto  man  ? 

For  he  made  not  his  own  mind,  nor  is  he  the  source  of  con- 
trivance. 

If  a cunning  workman  make  an  engine  that  fashioneth 
curious  works, 

Which  hath  the  praise,  the  machine  or  its  maker — the 
engine,  or  he  that  framed  it  ? 

And  could  he  frame  it  so  subtly  as  to  give  it  a will  and  free- 
dom, 

Endow  it  with  complicated  powers,  and  a glorious  living  soul, 

Who,  while  he  admireth  the  wondrous  understanding  crea- 
ture, 

Will  not  pay  deeper  homage  to  the  Maker  of  master  minds  1 

Otherwise,  thou  art  senseless  as  the  pagan,  that  adoreth  his 
own  handiwork : 

Yea,  while  thou  boastest  of  thy  wisdom,  thy  mind  is  as  the 
mind  of  the  savage, 

For  he  boweth  down  to  his  idols,  and  thou  art  a worshipper 
of  self, 

Giving  to  the  reasoning  machine  the  credit  due  to  its  creator. 

The  keystone  of  thy  mind,  to  give  thy  thoughts  solidity, 

To  bind  them  as  in  an  arch,  to  fix  them  as  a world  in  its  sphere, 


series  i.J  OF  THINKING.  109 

Is  to  learn  from  the  book  of  the  Lord,  to  drink  from  the  well 
of  his  wisdom. 

Who  can  condense  the  sun,  or  analyse  the  fulness  of  the 
Bible, 

So  that  its  ideas  be  gathered,  and  the  harvest  of  its  wisdom 
be  brought  in  ? 

That  book  is  easy  to  the  man  who  setteth  his  heart  to  under- 
stand it, 

But  to  the  careless  and  profane  it  shall  seem  the  foolishness 
of  God ; 

And  it  is  a delicate  test  to  prove  thy  moral  state ; 

To  the  humble  disciple  it  is  bread,  but  a stone  to  the  proud 
and  unbelieving : 

A scorner  shall  find  nothing  but  the  husks,  wherewith  to 
feed  his  hunger, 

But  for  the  soul  of  the  simple,  it  is  plenty  of  full-ripe  wheat. 

The  Scripture  abideth  the  same  in  the  sober  majesty  of  truth ; 

And  the  differing  aspects  of  its  teaching  proceed  from  diver- 
sity in  minds. 

He  that  would  learn  to  think  may  gain  that  knowledge  there ; 

For  the  living  word,  as  an  angel,  standeth  at  the  gate  of  wis- 
dom, 

And  publisheth,  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye  surely  in  it. 

Religion  taketh  by  the  hand  the  humble  pupil  of  repentance, 

And  teacheth  him  lessons  of  mystery,  solving  the  questions 
of  doubt ; 

She  maketh  man  worthy  of  himself,  of  his  high  prerogative 
of  reason, 

Threadeth  all  the  labyrinths  of  thought,  and  leadeth  him  to 
his  God. 

Come  hither,  child  of  meditation,  upon  whose  high  fair  fore- 
head 

Glittereth  the  star  of  mind  in  its  unearthly  l ustre. 

Hast  thou  naught  to  tell  us  of  thine  airy  joys,— 

When  borne  on  sinewy  pinions,  strong  as  the  western  condor, 
10 


110  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  soul,  after  soaring  for  a while  round  the  cloud-capped 
Andes  of  reflection, 

Glad  in  its  conscious  immortality,  leaveth  a world  behind, 

To  dare  at  one  bold  flight  the  broad  Atlantic  to  another  7 
Hast  thou  no  secret  pangs  to  whisper  common  men, 

No  dread  of  thine  own  energies,  still  active,  day  and  night, 
Lest  too  ecstatic  heat  sublime  thyself  away, 

Or  vivid  horrors,  sharp  and  clear,  madden  thy  tense  fibres  7 
In  half-shaped  visions  of  sleep  hast  thou  not  feared  thy  flit 
tings, 

Lest  reason,  like  a raking  hawk,  return  not  to  thy  call ; 

Nor  waked  to  work-day  life  with  throbbing  head  and  heart, 
Nor  welcomed  early  dawn  to  save  thee  from  unrest  7 
For  the  wearied  spirit  lieth  as  a fainting  maiden, 

Captive  and  borne  away  on  the  warrior’s  foam-covered  steed, 
And  sinketh  down  wounded,  as  a gladiator  on  the  sand, 
While  the  keen  falchion  of  Intellec+  is  cutting  through  the 
scabbard  of  the  brain. 

Imagination,  like  a shadowy  giant  looming  on  the  twilight 
of  the  Hartz, 

Shall  overwhelm  Judgment  with  affright,  and  scare  him  from 
his  throne : 

In  a dream  thou  mayst  be  mad,  and  feel  the  fire  within  thee  ; 
In  a dream  thou  mayst  travel  out  of  self,  and  see  thee  with 
the  eyes  of  another ; 

Or  sleep  in  thine  own  corpse  ; or  wake  as  in  many  bodies : 
Or  swell,  as  expanded  to  infinity ; or  shrink,  as  imprisoned  to 
a point ; 

Or  among  moss-grown  ruins  may  wander  with  the  sullen 
disembodied, 

And  gaze  upon  their  glassy  eyes  until  thy  heart-blood  freeze. 

Alone  must  thou  stand,  O man ! alone  at  the  bar  of  judg- 
ment ; 

Alone  must  thou  bear  thy  sentence,  alone  must  thou  answer 
for  thy  deeds : 


OF  THINKING. 


SERIES  I.] 


Ill 


Therefore  it  is  well  thou  retirest  often  to  secresy  and  soli- 
tude, 

To  feel  that  thou  art  accountable  separately  from  thy  fellows : 

For  a crowd  hideth  truth  from  the  eyes,  society  drowneth 
thought, 

And,  being  but  one  among  many,  stifleth  the  chidings  of 
conscience. 

Solitude  bringeth  woe  to  the  wicked,  for  his  crimes  are  told 
out  in  his  ear ; 

But  addeth  peace  to  the  good,  for  the  mercies  of  his  God  are 
numbered. 

Thou  mayst  know  if  it  be  well  with  a man, — loveth  he  gaiety 
or  solitude  1 

For  the  troubled  river  rusheth  to  the  sea,  but  the  calm  lake 
slumbereth  among  the  mountains. 

How  dear  to  the  mind  of  the  sage  are  the  thoughts  that  are 
bred  in  loneliness, 

For  there  is  as  it  were  music  at  his  heart,  and  he  talketh 
within  him  as  with  friends  : 

But  guilt  maddeneth  the  brain,  and  terror  glareth  in  the  eye, 

Where,  in  his  solitary  cell,  the  malefactor  wrestleth  with 
remorse. 

Give  me  but  a lodge  in  the  wilderness,  drop  me  on  an  island 
in  the  desert, 

And  thought  shall  yield  me  happiness,  though  I may  not  in- 
crease it  by  imparting : 

For  the  soul  never  slumbereth,  but  is  as  the  eye  of  the  Eter- 
nal, 

And  mind,  the  breath  of  God,  knoweth  not  ideal  vacuity  . 

At  night,  after  weariness  and  watching,  the  body  siuketh 
into  sleep, 

But  the  mental  eye  is  awake,  and  thou  reasonest  in  thy 
dreams ; 

In  a dream  thou  mayest  live  a life-time,  and  all  be  forgotten 
in  the  morning : 

Even  such  is  life,  and  so  soon  perisheth  its  memory. 


112  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

t 

OF  SPEAKING. 

Speech  is  the  golden  harvest  that  followeth  the  flowering 
of  thought ; 

Yet  oftentimes  runneth  it  to  husk,  and  the  grains  be  withered 
and  scanty ; 

Speech  is  reason’s  brother,  and  a kingly  prerogative  of  man, 

That  likeneth  him  to  his  Maker,  who  spake,  and  it  was  done : 

Spirit  may  mingle  with  spirit,  but  sense  requireth  a symbol ; 

And  speech  is  the  body  of  a thought,  without  which  it  were 
not  seen. 

When  thou  walkest,  musing  with  thyself,  in  the  green  aisles 
of  the  forest, 

Utter  thy  thinkings  aloud,  that  they  take  a shape  and  being ; 

For  he  that  pondereth  in  silence  crowdeth  the  storehouse  of 
his  mind, 

And  though  he  hath  heaped  great  riches,  yet  is  he  hindered 
in  the  using. 

A man  that  speaketh  too  little,  and  thinketh  much  and 
deeply, 

Corrodeth  his  own  heart-strings,  and  keepeth  back  good  from 
his  fellows : 

A man  that  speaketh  too  much,  and  museth  but  little  and 
lightly, 

Wasteth  his  mind  in  words,  and  is  counted  a fool  among 
men ; 

But  thou,  when  thou  hast  thought,  weave  charily  the  web  of 
meditation, 

And  clothe  the  ideal  spirit  in  the  suitable  garments  of  speech. 

Uttered  out  of  time,  or  concealed  in  its  season,  good  savor- 
eth  of  evil ; 

To  be  secret  looketh  like  guilt,  to  speak  out  may  breed  con- 
tention : 


series  i.]  OF  SPEAKING.  113 

Often  have  I known  the  honest  heart,  flaming  with  indignant 
virtue, 

Provoke  unneeded  war  by  its  rash  ambassador  the  tongue  : 
Often  have  I seen  the  charitable  man  go  so  slily  on  his  mis- 
sion, 

That  those  who  met  him  in  the  twilight,  took  him  for  a 
skulking  thief : 

I have  heard  the  zealous  youth  telling  out  his  holy  secrets 
Before  a swinish  throng,  who  mocked  him  as  he  spake  ; 

And  I considered,  his  openness  was  hardening  them  that 
mocked, 

Whereas,  a judicious  keeping-back  might  have  won  their 
sympathy ; 

I have  judged  rashly  and  hardly  the  hand  liberal  in  the  dark, 
Because  in  the  broad  daylight  it  hath  holden  it  a virtue  to  be 
close ; 

And  the  silent  tongue  have  I condemned,  because  reserve 
hath  chained  it, 

That  it  hid,  yea  from  a brother,  the  kindness  it  had  done  by 
comforting. 

No  need  to  sound  a trumpet,  but  less  to  hush  a footfall : 

Do  thou  thy  good  openly,  not  as  though  the  doing  were  a 
crime. 

Secresy  goeth  cowled,  and  Honesty  demandeth  wherefore  7 
For  he  judgeth, — judgeth  he  not  well  7 — that  nothing  need  be 
hid  but  guilt ; 

Why  should  thy  good  be  evil  spoken  of  through  thine  un- 
righteous silence ; 

If  thou  art  challenged,  speak,  and  prove  the  good  thou  doest. 
The  free  example  of  benevolence,  unobtruded,  yet  unhidden, 
Soundeth  in  the  ears  of  sloth,  Go,  and  do  thou  likewise  : 

And  I wot  the  hypocrite’s  sin  to  be  of  darker  dye, 

Because  the  good  man,  fearing,  thereby  hideth  his  light : 

But  neither  God  nor  man  hath  bid  thee  cloak  thy  good, 

When  a seasonable  word  would  set  thee  in  thy  sphere,  that 
all  might  see  thy  brightness, 

10* 


114  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Ascribe  the  honor  to  thy  Lord,  but  be  thou  jealous  of  that 
honor, 

Nor  think  it  light  and  worthless,  because  thou  mayst  not  wear 
it  for  thyself : 

Remember  thy  grand  prerogative  is  free  unshackled  utter- 
ance, 

And  suffer  not  the  floodgates  of  secresy  to  lock  the  full  river 
of  thy  speech. 

Come,  I will  show  thee  an  affliction,  unnumbered  among  this 
world’s  sorrows, 

Yet  real  and  wearisome  and  constant,  embittering  the  cup  of 
life. 

There  be,  who  can  think  within  themselves,  and  the  fire 
burneth  at  their  heart, 

And  eloquence  waiteth  at  their  lips,  yet  they  speak  not  with 
their  tongue  ; 

There  be,  whom  zeal  quickeneth,  or  slander  stirreth  to  reply, 

Or  need  constraineth  to  ask,  or  pity  sendeth  as  her  messen- 
gers, 

But  nervous  dread  and  sensitive  shame  freeze  the  current  of 
their  speech ; 

The  mouth  is  sealed  as  with  lead,  a cold  weight  presseth  on 
the  heart, 

The  mocking  promise  of  power  is  once  more  broken  in  per- 
formance, 

And  they  stand  impotent  of  words,  travailing  with  unborn 
thoughts : 

Courage  is  cowed  at  the  portal : wisdom  is  widowed  of  utter- 
ance ; 

He  that  went  to  comfort  is  pitied  ; he  that  should  rebuke,  is 
silent. 

And  fools  who  might  listen  and  learn,  stand  by  to  look  and 
laugh ; 

While  friends,  with  kinder  eyes,  wound  deeper  by  compas- 
sion, 


series  i.]  OF  SPEAKING.  115 

And  thought,  finding  not  a vent,  smouldereth,  gnawing  at  the 
heart, 

And  the  man  sinketh  in  his  sphere,  for  lack  of  empty  sounds. 

There  be  many  cares  and  sorrows  thou  hast  not  yet  consi 
dered, 

And  well  may  thy  soul  rejoice  in  the  fair  privilege  of  speech ; 

For  at  every  turn  to  want  a word, — thou  canst  not  guess  that 
want ; 

It  is  as  lack  of  breath  or  bread : life  hath  no  grief  more  gall- 
ing. 

Come,  I will  tell  thee  of  a joy,  which  the  parasites  of  plea- 
sure have  not  known, 

Though  earth  and  air  and  sea  have  gorged  all  the  appetites 
of  sense. 

Behold,  what  fire  is  in  his  eye,  what  fervor  on  his  cheek  1 

That  glorious  burst  of  winged  words  ! — how  bound  they  from 
his  tongue ! 

The  full  expression  of  the  mighty  thought,  the  strong  tri- 
umphant argument, 

The  rush  of  native  eloquence,  resistless  as  Niagara, 

The  keen  demand,  the  clear  reply,  the  fine  poetic  image, 

The  nice  analogy,  the  clenching  fact,  the  metaphor  bold  and 
free, 

The  grasp  of  concentrated  intellect  wielding  the  omnipotence 
of  truth, 

The  grandeur  of  his  speech,  in  his  majesty  of  mind  ! 

Champion  of  the  right, — patriot,  or  priest,  or  pleader  of  the 
innocent  cause, 

Upon  whose  lips  the  mystic  bee  hath  dropped  the  honey  of 
persuasion,  (21) 

Whose  heart  and  tongue  have  been  touched,  as  of  old,  by 
the  live  coal  from  the  altar, 

How  wide  the  spreading  of  thy  peace,  how  deep  the  draught 
of  thy  pleasures  ! 

To  h >ld  the  multitude  as  one,  breathing  in  measured  cadence, 


116  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

A thousand  men  with  flashing  eyes,  waiting  upon  thy  will ; 

A thousand  hearts  kindled  by  thee  with  consecrated  fire, 

Ten  flaming  spiritual  hecatombs  offered  on  the  mount  of 
God : 

And  now  a pause,  a thrilling  pause, — they  live  but  in  thy 
words, — 

Thou  hast  broken  the  bounds  of  self,  as  the  Nile  at  its  rising. 

Thou  art  expanded  into  them,  one  faith,  one  hope,  one  spirit, 

They  breathe  but  in  thy  breath,  their  minds  are  passive  unto 
thine, 

Thou  turnest  the  key  of  their  love,  bending  their  affections  to 
thy  purpose, 

And  all,  in  sympathy  with  thee,  tremble  with  tumultuous 
emotions. 

Verily,  O man,  with  truth  for  thy  theme,  eloquence  shall 
throne  thee  with  archangels. 

OF  READING. 

One  drachma  for  a good  book,  and  a thousand  talents  for  a 
true  friend : — 

So  standeth  the  market  where  scarce  is  ever  costly : 

Yea,  were  the  diamonds  of  Golconda  common  as  shingles  on 
the  shore, 

A ripe  apple  would  ransom  kings  before  a shining  stone : 

And  so,  were  a wholesome  book  as  rare  as  an  honest  friend, 

To  choose  the  book  be  mine : the  friend  let  another  take. 

For  altered  looks  and  jealousies  and  fears  have  none  entrance 
there : 

The  silent  volume  listeneth  well,  and  speaketh  when  thou 
listest : 

It  praiseth  thy  good  without  envy,  it  chideth  thine  evil  with- 
out malice, 

It  is  to  thee  thy  waiting  slave,  and  thine  unbending  teacher. 

Need  to  humor  no  caprice,  need  to  bear  with  no  infirmity, 


r 


series  i.]  OF  READING.  117 

Thy  sin,  thy  slander,  or  neglect,  chilleth  not,  quencheth  not, 
its  love  ; 

Unalterably  speaketh  it  the  truth,  warped  nor  by  error  nor 
interest ; 

For  a good  book  is  the  best  of  friends,  the  same  to-day  and 
for  ever. 

To  draw  thee  out  of  seif,  thy  petty  plans  and  cautions, 

To  teach  thee  what  thou  lackest,  to  tell  thee  how  largely  thou 
art  blest, 

To  lure  thy  thought  from  sorrow,  to  feed  thy  famished  mind, 

To  graft  another's  wisdom  on  thee,  pruning  thine  own  folly, 

Choose  discreetly,  and  well  digest  the  volume  most  suited  to 
thy  case, 

Touching  not  religion  with  levity,  nor  deep  things  when  thou 
art  wearied. 

Thy  mind  is  freshened  by  morning  air,  grapple  with  science 
and  philosophy ; 

Noon  hath  unnerved  thy  thoughts,  dream  for  awhile  on 
fictions ; 

Grey  evening  sobereth  thy  spirit,  walk  thou  then  with  wor- 
shippers ; 

But  reason  shall  dig  deepest  in  tto  night.and  fancy  fly  most  free. 

O books,  ye  monuments  of  mind,  concrete  wisdom  of  the 
wisest ; 

Sweet  solaces  of  daily  life ; proofs  and  results  of  immortality ; 

Trees  yielding  all  fruits,  whose  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of 
the  nations ; 

Groves  of  knowledge,  where  all  may  eat,  nor  fear  a flaming 
sword ; 

Gentle  comrades,  kind  advisers ; friends,  comforts,  treasures : 

Helps,  governments,  diversities  of  tongues ; who  can  weigh 
your  worth  1 — 

To  walk  no  longer  with  the  just ; to  be  driven  from  the  porch 
of  science; 


118  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

To  bid  a long  adieu  to  those  intimate  ones,  poets,  philoso- 
phers, and  teachers ; 

To  see  no  record  of  the  sympathies  which  bind  thee  in  com- 
munion with  the  good ; 

To  be  thrust  from  the  feet  of  Him,  who  spake  as  never  man 
spake ; 

To  have  no  avenue  to  heaven  but  the  dim  aisle  of  superstition  ; 

To  live  as  an  Esquimaux,  in  lethargy ; to  die  as  the  Mohawk, 
in  ignorance  :t 

O what  were  life,  but  a blank  1 what  were  death  but  a terror  1 

What  were  man,  but  a burden  to  himself1?  what  were  mind, 
but  misery  1 

Yea,  let  another  Omar  burn  the  full  library  of  knowledge,  (22) 

And  the  broad  world  may  perish  in  the  flames,  offered  on  the 
ashes  of  its  wisdom  ! 


OF  WRITING. 

The  pen  of  a ready  writer,  whereunto  shall  it  be  likened  7 
Ask  of  the  scholar,  he  shall  know, — to  the  chains  that  bind 
a Proteus : 

Ask  of  the  poet,  he  shall  |p,y, — to  the  sun,  the  lamp  of 
heaven ; 

Ask  of  thy  neighbor,  he  can  answer, — to  the  friend  that  tell- 
eth  my  thought: 

The  merchant  considereth  it  well,  as  a ship  freighted  with 

wares ; 

The  divine  holdeth  it  a miracle,  giving  utterance  to  the  dumb. 
It  fixeth,  expoundeth,  and  disseminateth  sentiment ; 
Chaining  up  a thought,  clearing  it  of  mystery,  and  sending  it 
bright  into  the  world. 

To  think  rightly  is  of  knowledge ; to  speak  fluently,  is  of 
nature  ; 

To  read  with  profit,  is  of  care  ; but  to  write  aptly,  is  of  prac- 
. tice. 


series  i.J  OF  WRITING.  119 

No  talent  among  men  hath  more  scholars  and  fewer  masters  : 

For  to  write  is  to  speak  beyond  hearing,  and  none  stand  by 
to  explain. 

To  be  accurate,  write ; to  remember,  write ; to  know  thine 
own  mind,  write  : 

And  a written  prayer  is  a prayer  of  faith  ; special,  sure,  and 
to  be  answered. 

Hast  thou  a thought  upon  thy  brain,  catch  it  while  thou 
canst ; 

Or  other  thoughts  shall  settle  there,  and  this  shall  soon  take 
wing: 

Thine  uncompounded  unity  of  soul,  which  argueth  and  rna- 
keth  it  immortal, 

Yieldeth  up  its  momentary  self  to  every  single  thought ; 

Therefore,  to  husband  thine  ideas,  and  give  them  stability 
and  substance, 

Write  often  for  thy  secret  eye  : so  shalt  thou  grow  wiser 

The  commonest  mind  is  full  of  thoughts  ; some  worthy  of  the 
rarest ; 

And  could  it  see  them  fairly  writ,  would  wonder  at  its 
wealth. 

O precious  compensation  to  the  dumb,  to  write  his  wants 
and  wishes : 

O dear  amends  to  the  stammering  tongue,  to  pen  his  burning 
thoughts ! 

To  be  of  the  college  of  Eloquence,  through  these  silent  sym- 
bols ; 

To  pour  out  all  the  flowing  mind  without  the  toil  of  speech ; 

To  show  the  babbling  world  how  it  might  discourse  more 
sweetly , 

To  prove  that  merchandise  of  words  bringeth  no  monopoly 
of  wisdom , 

To  take  sweet  vengeance  on  a prating  crew,  for  the  tongue’s 
dishonor, 

By  the  large  triumph  of  the  pen,  the  homage  rendered  to  a 
writing. 


120  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

With  such,  that  telegraph  of  mind  is  dearer  than  wealth  or 

wisdom, 

Enabling  to  please  without  pain,  to  impart  without  humilia- 
tion. 

Fair  girl,  whose  eye  hath  caught  the  rustic  penmanship  of 
love, 

Let  thy  bright  brow  and  blushing  cheek  confess  in  this  sweet 
hour, — 

Let  thy  full  heart,  poor  guilty  one,  whom  the  scroll  of  par- 
don hath  just  reached, — 

Thy  wet  glad  face,  O mother,  with  news  oi  a tar-off  child,— •*v 

Thy  strong  and  manly  delight,  pilgrim  of  other  shores, 

When  the  dear  voice  of  thy  betrothed  speaketh  in  the  letter 
of  affection : — 

Let  the  young  poet  exulting  in  his  lay,  and  hope  (how  false) 
of  fame, 

While  watching  at  deep  midnight,  he  buildeth  up  the 
verse, — 

Let  the  calm  child  of  genius,  whose  name  shall  never  die, 

For  that  the  transcript  of  his  mind  hath  made  his  thoughts 
immortal, — 

Let  these,  let  all,  with  no  faint  praise,  with  no  light  gratitude, 
confess 

The  blessings  poured  upon  the  earth  from  the  pen  of  a ready 
writer. 

Moreover,  their  preciousness  in  absence  is  proved  by  the 
desire  of  their  presence : 

When  the  despairing  lover  waiteth  day  after  day, 

Looking  for  a word  in  reply,  one  word  writ  by  that  hand, 

And  cursing  bitterly  the  morn  ushered  in  by  blank  disap 
pointment : 

Or  when  the  long-looked-for  answer  argueth  a cooling  friend, 

And  the  mind  is  plied  suspiciously  with  dark  inexplicable 
doubts, 


series  i.J  OF  WRITING.  121 

While  thy  wounded  heart  counteth  its  imaginary  scars, 

And  thou  art  the  innocent  and  injured,  that  friend  the  capri- 
cious and  in  fault : 

Or  when  the  earnest  petition,  that  craveth  for  thy  needs 
Unheeded,  yea,  unopened,  tortureth  with  starving  delay  : 

Or  when  the  silence  of  a son,  who  would  have  written  of  his 
welfare, 

Racketh  a father’s  bosom  with  sharp-cutting  fears, 

For  a letter,  timely  writ,  is  a rivet  to  the  chain  of  affection, 
And  a letter,  untimely  delayed,  is  as  rust  to  the  solder. 

The  pen,  flowing  with  love,  or  dipped  black  in  hate, 

Or  tipped  with  delicate  courtesies,  or  harshly  edged  with  cen- 
sure, 

Hath  quickened  more  good  than  the  sun,  more  evil  than  the 
sword, 

More  joy  than  woman’s  smile,  more  woe  than  frowning  for- 
tune ; 

And  shouldst  thou  ask  my  judgment  of  that  which  hath  most 
profit  in  the  world, 

For  answer  take  thou  this,  The  prudent  penning  of  a letter. 

Thou  hast  not  lost  an  hour,  whereof  there  is  a record ; 

A written  thought  at  midnight  shall  redeem  the  livelong  day. 
Idea  is  as  a shadow  that  departeth,  speech  is  fleeting  as  the 
wind, 

Reading  is  an  unremembered  pastime : but  a writing  is  eternal : 
For  therein  the  dead  heart  liveth,  the  clay -cold  tongue  is  elo- 
quent, 

And  the  quick  eye  of  the  reader  is  cleared  by  the  reed  of  the 
scribe. 

As  a fossil  in  the  rock,  or  a coin  in  the  mortar  of  a ruin, 

So  the  symbolled  thoughts  tell  of  a departed  soul : 

The  plastic  hand  hath  its  witness  in  a statue,  and  exactitude 
of  vision  in  a picture, 

And  so,  the  mind,  that  was  among  us,  in  its  writings  is  em- 
balmed. 


11 


122  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


OF  WEALTH. 

Prodigality  hath  a sister  Meanness,  his  fixed  antagonist 
he  irt-fellow, 

Who  often  out-liveth  the  short  career  of  the  brother  she  de- 
spiseth  : 

She  hath  lean  lips  and  a sharp  look,  and  her  eyes  are  red  and 
hungry ; 

But  he  sloucheth  in  his  gait,  and  his  mouth  speaketh  loosely 
and  maudlin. 

Let  a spendthrift  grow  to  be  old,  he  will  set  his  heart  on 
saving, 

And  labor  to  build  up  by  penury  that  which  extravagance 
threw  down : 

Even  so,  with  most  men,  do  riches  earn  themselves  a double 
curse ; 

They  are  ill-got  by  tight  dealing:  they  are  ill-spent  by  loose 
squandering. 

Give  me  en^T  saith  Wisdom; — for  he  feareth  to  ask  for 

more ; 

And  that  by  the  sweat  of  my  brow,  addeth  stout-hearted  In- 
dependence : 

Give  me  enough,  and  not  less,  for  want  is  leagued  with  the 
tempter ; 

Poverty  shall  make  a man  desperate,  and  hurr)  him  ruthless 
into  crime ; 

Give  me  enough,  and  not  more,  saving  for  the  children  of 
distress ; 

Wealth  ofttimes  killeth,  where  want  but  hindereth  the  bud- 
ding: 

There  is  green  glad  summer  near  the  pole,  though  brief  and 
after  long  winter, 

But  the  burnt  breasts  of  the  torrid  zone  yield  nevef  kindly 
nourishment. 


SERIES  I.j 


OF  WEALTH. 


123 


Wouldst  thou  be  poor,  scatter  to  the  rich, — and  reap  the 
tares  of  ingratitude  ; 

Wouldst  thou  be  rich,  give  unto  the  poor ; — thou  shalt  have 
thine  own  with  usury : 

For  the  secret  hand  of  Providence  prospereth  the  charitable 
all  ways, 

Good  luck  shall  he  have  in  his  pursuits,  and  his  heart  shall 
be  glad  within  him ; 

Yet  perchance  he  never  shall  perceive,  that  even  as  to  earthly 
gains. 

The  cause  of  his  weal,  as  of  his  joy,  hath  been  small  givings 
to  the  poor. 

In  the  plain  of  Benares  is  there  found  a root  that  fathereth 
a forest, 

Where  round  the  parent  banian-tree  drop  its  living  scions ; 

Thirstily  they  strain  to  the  earth,  like  stalactites  in  a grotto, 

And  strike  broad  roots,  and  branch  again,  lengthening  their 
cool  arcades : 

And  the  dervish  madly  danceth  there,  and  the  faquir  is  tor- 
turing his  flesh, 

And  the  calm  brahmin  worshippeth  the  sleek  and  pampered 
bull; 

At  the  base  lean  jackalls  coil,  while  from  above  depending 

With  dull  malignant  stare  watcheth  the  branch-like  boa. 

Even  so,  in  man’s  heart  is  a sin  that  is  the  root  of  all  evil ; 

Whose  fibres  strangle  the  affections,  whose  branches  over- 
grow the  mind : 

And  oftenest  beneath  its  shadow  thou  shalt  meet  distorted 
piety, — 

The  clenched  and  rigid  fist,  with  the  eyes  upturned  to  hea- 
ven, 

Fanatic  zeal  with  miserly  severity,  a mixture  of  gain  with 
godliness, 

And  him,  against  whom  passion  hath  no  power,  kneeling  to 
a golden  calf : 


124  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  hungry  hounds  of  extortion  are  there,  the  bond,  and  the 
mortgage,  and  the  writ, 

While  the  appetite  for  gold,  unslumbering,  watcheth  to  glut 
its  maw : — 

And  the  heart,  so  tenanted  and  shaded,  is  cold  to  all  things  else ; 

It  seeth  not  the  sunshine  of  heaven,  nor  is  warmed  by  the 
light  of  charity. 

For  covetousness  disbelieveth  God,  and  laugheth  at  the 
rights  of  men ; 

Spurring  unto  theft  and  lying,  and  tempting  to  the  poison  and 
the  knife ; 

It  sundereth  the  bonds  of  love,  and,  quickeneth  the  flames  of 
hate ; 

A curse  that  shall  wither  the  brain,  and  case  the  heart  with  iron. 

Content  is  the  true  riches,  for  without  it  there  is  no  satisfying, 

But  a ravenous  all-devouring  hunger  gnaweth  the  vitals  of 
the  soul. 

The  wise  man  knoweth  where  to  stop,  as  he  runneth  in  the 
race  of  fortune, 

For  experience  of  old  hath  taught  him  that  happiness  linger- 
eth  midway  ; 

And  many  in  hot  pursuit  have  hasted  to  the  goal  of  wealth, 

But  have  lost,  as  they  ran,  those  apples  of  gold, — the  mind 
and  the  power  to  enjoy  it. 

There  is  no  greater  evil  among  men  than  a testame  nt  framed 
with  injustice : 

Where  caprice  hath  guided  the  boon,  or  dishonesty  refused 
what  was  due. 

Generous  is  the  robber  on  the  highway,  in  the  open  daring  of 
his  guilt, 

To  the  secret  coward,  whose  malice  liveth  and  harmeth  after 
him. 

Who  smoothly  sank  into  the  tomb  with  the  smile  of  fraud 
upon  his  face, 


OF  WEALTH. 


SERIES  I.J 


125 


And  the  last  black  deed  of  his  existence  was  injury  without 
redress ; 

For  deaf  is  the  ear  of  the  dead,  and  can  hear  no  palliating 
reasons , 

The  smiter  is  not  among  the  living,  and  Right  pleadeth  but 
in  vain. 

Yet  shall  the  curse  of  the  oppressed  be  as  blight  upon  the 
grave  of  the  unjust ; 

Yea,  bitterly  shall  that  handwriting  testify  against  him  at 
the  judgment. 

I saw  the  humble  relation  that  tendeth  the  peevishness  of 
wealth, 

And  ministered  with  kind  hand  to  the  wailings  of  disease  and 
discontent ; 

[ noted  how  watchfulness  and  care  were  feeding  on  the 
marrow  of  her  youth, 

How  heavy  was  the  yoke  of  dependence,  loaded  by  petty 
tyranny ; 

Yet  I heard  the  frequent  suggestion, — It  can  be  but  a little 
longer, 

Patience  and  mute  submission  shall  one  day  reap  a rich  re- 
ward. 

So,  tacitly  enduring  much,  waited  that  humble  friend, 

Putting  off  the  lover  of  her  youth  until  the  dawn  of 
wealth : 

And  it  came,  that  day  of  release,  and  the  freed  heart  could 
not  sorrow, 

For  now  were  the  years  of  promise  to  yield  their  golden  har- 
vest : 

Hope,  so  long  deferred,  sickly  sparkled  in  her  eye, 

The  miserable  past  was  forgotten,  as  she  looked  for  the  hap- 
pier future, 

And  she  checked,  as  unworthy  and  ungrateful,  the  dark  sus- 
picious thought 

That  perchance  her  right  had  been  the  safer,  if  not  left  alone 
with  honor : 


11* 


126  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

But,  alas,  the  sad  knowledge  soon  came,  that  her  stern  task- 
master’s will 

Hath  rewarded  her  toil  with  a jibe,  her  patience  with  utter 
destitution ! — 

Shall  not  the  scourge  of  justice  lash  that  cruel  coward, 

Who  mingled  the  gall  of  ingratitude  with  the  bitterness  of 
disapppiotment  1 

Shall  not  the  hate  of  men,  and  vengeance,  fiercely  pursuing, 

Hunt  down  the  wretched  being  that  sinneth  in  his  grave  1 

He  fancied  his  idol  self  safe  from  the  wrath  of  his  fellows, 

But  Hades  rose  as  he  came  in,  to  point  at  him  the  finger  of 
scorn ; 

And  again  must  he  meet  that  orphan-maid  to  answer  her 
face  to  face, 

And  her  wrongs  shall  cling  around  his  neck,  to  hinder  him 
rising  with  the  just : 

For  his  last  most  solemn  act  has  linked  his  name  with  liar, 

And  the  crime  of  Ananias  is  branded  on  his  brow  ! 

A good  man  commendeth  his  cause  to  the  one  great  Patron 
of  innocence, 

Convinced  of  justice  at  the  last,  and  sure  of  good  mean- 
while. 

He  knoweth  he  hath  a Guardian,  wise  and  kind  and  strong, 

And  can  thank  Him  for  giving,  or  refusing,  the  trust  or  the 
curse  of  riches : 

His  confidence  standeth  as  a rock ; he  dreadeth  not  malice 
nor  caprice, 

Nor  the  whisperings  of  artful  men,  nor  envious  secret  influ- 
ence ; 

He  scorneth  servile  compromise,  and  the  pliant  mouthings  of 
deceit ; 

He  maketh  not  a show  of  love,  where  he  cannot  concede 
esteem ; 

He  regardeth  ill-got  wealth,  as  the  root  most  fruitful  of 
wretchedness, 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  WEALTH. 


127 


So  he  walketh  in  straight  integrity,  leaning  on  God  and  his 
right. 

No  gain,  but  by  its  price ; labor,  for  the  poor  man  s meal, 

Ofttimes  heart-sickening  toil,  to  win  him  a morsel  for  his 
hunger . 

Labor,  for  the  chapman  at  his  trade,  a dull  unvaried  round, 

Year  after  year,  unto  death  ; yea,  what  a weariness  is  it ! 

Labor,  for  the  pale-faced  scribe,  drudging  at  his  hated  desk, 

Who  bartereth  for  needful  pittance  the  untold  gold  of  health  ; 

Labor,  with  fear,  for  the  merchant,  whose  hopes  are  ventured 
on  the  sea ; 

Labor,  with  care,  for  the  man  of  law,  responsible  in  his 
gains ; 

Labor,  with  envy  and  annoyance,  where  strangers  will  thee 
wealth ; 

Labor,  with  indolence  and  gloom,  where  wealth  falleth  from 
a father ; 

Labor  unto  all,  whether  aching  thews,  or  aching  head,  or 
spirit, — 

The  curse  on  the  sons  of  men,  in  all  their  states,  is  labor. 

Nevertheless,  to  the  diligent,  labor  bringeth  blessings  : 

The  thought  of  duty  sweeteneth  toil,  and  travail  is  as  plea- 
sure; 

And  time  spent  in  doing  hath  a comfort  that  is  not  for  the 
idle, 

The  hardship  is  transmuted  into  joy,  by  the  dear  atchemy  of 
Mercy. 

Labor  is  good  for  a man,  bracing  up  his  energies  to  conquest, 

And  without  it  life  is  dull,  the  man  perceiving  himself  use- 
less: 

For  wearily  the  body  groaneth,  like  a door  on  rusty  hinges, 

And  the  grasp  of  the  mind  is  weakened,  as  the  talons  of  a 
caged  vulture. 

Wealth  hath  never  given  happiness : but  often  hastened 
misery : 


128  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Enough  hath  never  caused  misery,  but  often  quickened  happi- 
ness : 

Enough  is  less  than  thy  thought,  O pampered  creature  of 
society, 

And  he  that  hath  more  than  enough,  is  a thief  of  the  rights 
of  his  brother. 


OF  INVENTION. 

Man  is  proud  of  his  mind,  boasting  that  it  giveth  him  divinity, 

Yet  with  all  its  powers,  can  it  originate  nothing; 

For  the  great  God  into  all  his  works  hath  largely  poured  out 
himself, 

Saving  one  special  property,  the  grand  prerogative — Creation. 

To  improve  and  expand  is  ours,  as  well  as  to  limit  and  defeat ; 

But  to  create  a thought  or  a thing  is  hopeless  and  impossible. 

Can  a man  make  matter  7 — and  yet  this  would-be-god 

Thinketh  to  make  mind,  and  form  original  idea : 

The  potter  must  have  his  clay,  and  the  mason  his  quarry, 

And  mind  must  drain  ideas  from  everything  around  it. 

Doth  the  soil  generate  herbs,  or  the  torrid  air  breed  flies, 

Or  the  water  frame  its  monads,  or  the  mist  its  swarming 
blight  7— 

Mediately,  through  thousand  generations,  having  seed 
w ithin  themselves, 

All  things,  rare  or  gross,  own  one  common  Father. 

Truly  spake  Wisdom,  there  is  nothing  new  under  the  sun ; 

We  only  arrange  and  combine  the  ancient  elements  of  all 
things. 

Invention  is  activity  of  mind,  as  fire  is  air  in  motion. 

A sharpening  of  the  spiritual  sight,  to  discern  hidden  apti- 
tudes. 

From  the  basket  and  acanthus,  is  modelled  the  graceful 
capital , 


SERIES  l.J 


OF  INVENTION. 


129 


The  shadowed  profile  on  the  wall  helpeth  the  limner  to  his 

likeness : 

The  footmarks  stamped  in  clay,  lead  on  the  thoughts  to 
printing ; 

The  strange  skin  garments  cast  upon  the  shore  suggest  an- 
other hemisphere:  (23) 

A falling  apple  taught  the  sage  pervading  gravitation ; 

The  Huron  is  certain  of  his  prey,  from  tracks  upon  the  grass  ; 

And  shrewdness,  guessing  on  the  hint,  followeth  on  the  trail; 

But  the  hint  must  be  given,  the  trail  must  be  there,  or  the 
keenest  sight  is  as  blindness. 

Behold  the  barren  reef,  which  an  earthquake  hath  just  left 
dry ; 

It  hath  no  beauty  to  boast  of,  no  harvest  of  fair  fruits  : 

But  soon  the  lichen  fixeth  there,  and,  dying,  diggeth  its  own 
grave.  (24) 

And  softening  suns  and  splitting  frosts  crumble  the  reluctant 
surface ; 

And  cormorants  roost  there,  and  the  snail  addeth  its  slime, 

And  efts,  with  muddy  feet,  bring  their  welcome  tribute  ; 

And  the  sea  casteth  out  her  dead,  wrapped  in  a shroud  of 
weeds ; 

And  orderly  nature  arrange th  again  the  disunited  atoms  ; 

Anon,  the  cold  smooth  stone  is  warm  with  feathery  grass, 

And  the  light  sporules  of  the  fern  are  dropt  by  the  passing 
wind, 

The  wood-pigeon,  on  swift  wing,  leaveth  its  crop-full  of  grain, 

The  squirrel’s  jealous  care  planteth  the  fir-cone,  and  the  filbert; 

Years  pass,  and  the  sterile  rock  is  rank  with  tangled  herbage ; 

The  wild  vine  clingeth  to  the  brier,  and  ivy  runneth  green 
among  the  corn, 

Lordly  beeches  are  studded  on  the  down,  and  willows  crowd 
around  the  rivulet, 

And  the  tall  pine  and  hazel  thicket  shade  the  rambling 
hunter. 


130  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Shall  tne  rock  boast  of  its  fertility  1 shall  it  lift  the  head  in 
pride  1 — 

Shall  the  mind  of  man  be  vain  of  the  harvest  of  its  thoughts  1 
The  savage  is  that  rock  ; and  a million  chances  from  without, 
By  little  and  little  acting  on  the  mind,  heap  up  the  hotbed  of 
society ; 

And  the  soul,  fed  and  fattened  on  the  thoughts  and  things 
around  it, 

Groweth  to  perfection  full  of  fruit,  the  fruit  of  foreign  seeds. 
For  we  learn  upon  a hint,  we  find  upon  a clue, 

We  yield  an  hundred-fold  ; but  the  great  sower  is  Analogy. 
There  must  be  an  acrid  sloe  before  a luscious  peach, 

A boll  of  rotting  flax  before  the  bridal  veil, 

An  egg  before  an  eagle,  a thought  before  a thing, 

A spark  struck  into  tinder  to  light  the  lamp  of  knowledge, 

A slight  suggestive  nod  to  guide  the  watching  mind, 

A half-seen  hand  upon  the  wall,  pointing  to  the  balance  of 
Comparison, 

By  culture  man  may  do  all  things,  short  of  the  miracle, — 
Creation  ; 

Here  is  the  limit  of  thy  power, — here  let  thy  pride  be  stayed : 
The  soil  may  be  rich,  and  the  mind  may  be  active,  but 
neither  yield  unsown : 

The  eye  cannot  make  light,  nor  the  mind  make  spirit ; 
Therefore  it  is  wise  in  man  to  name  all  novelty  invention ; 
For  it  is  to  find  out  things  that  are,  not  to  create  the  unex- 
isting : 

It  is  to  cling  to  contiguities,  to  be  keen  in  catching  likeness, 
And  with  energetic  elasticity  to  leap  the  gulfs  of  contrast. 
The  globe  knoweth  not  increase,  either  of  matter  or  spirit : 
Atoms  and  thoughts  are  used  again,  mixed  in  varied  combi- 
nations ; 

And  though,  by  moulding  them  anew,  thou  makest  them 
thine  own, 

Yet  have  they  served  thousands,  and  all  their  merit  is  of  God. 


SERIES  I.] 


OF  RIDICULE. 


131 


OF  RIDICULE. 

Seams  of  thought  for  the  sage’s  brow,  and  laughing  lines  for 
the  fool’s  face  ; 

For  all  things  leave  their  track  in  the  mind ; and  the  glass  of 
the  mind  is  faithful. 

Seest  thou  much  mirth  upon  the  cheek  7 there  is  then  little 
exercise  of  virtue ; 

For  he  that  looketh  on  the  world  cannot  be  glad  and  good : 

Seest  thou  much  gravity  in  the  eye  7 be  not  assured  of  finding 
wisdom ; 

For  she  hath  too  great  praise,  not  to  get  many  mimics ; 

There  is  a grave-faced  folly ; and  verily,  a laughter-loving 
wisdom : 

And  what,  if  surface-judges  account  it  vain  frivolity  7 

There  is  indeed  an  evil  in  excess,  and  a field  may  lie  fallow 
too  long ; 

Yet  merriment  is  often  as  a froth,  thatmantleth  on  the  strong 
mind : 

And  note  thou  this  for  a verity, — the  subtlest  thinker  when 
alone, 

From  ease  of  thoughts  unbent,  will  laugh  the  loudest  with 
his  fellows ; 

And  well  is  the  loveliness  of  wisdom  mirrored  in  a cheerful 
countenance ; 

Justly  the  deepest  pools  are  proved  by  dimpling  eddies ; 

For  that  a true  philosophy  commandeth  an  innocent  life, 

And  the  unguilty  spirit  is  lighter  than  a linnet’s  heart ; 

Yea,  there  is  no  cosmetic  like  a holy  conscience  : 

The  eye  is  bright  with  trust,  the  cheek  bloomed  over  with 
a flection, 

The  brow  unwrinkled  by  a care,  and  the  lip  triumphant  in 
its  gladness 


132  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  for  yon  grave-faced  folly,  need  not  far  to  look  for  her : 

How  seriously  on  trifles  dote  those  leaden  eyes, 

How  ruefully  she  sigheth  after  chances  long  gone  by, 

How  sulkily  she  moaneth  over  evils  without  cure  ! 

I have  known  a true-born  mirth,  the  child  of  innocence  and 
wisdom, 

I have  seen  a base-born  gravity,  mingled  of  ignorance  and 
guilt : 

And  again  a base-born  mirth,  springing  out  of  carelessness 
and  folly, 

And  again,  a true-born  gravity,  the  product  of  reflection  and 
right  fear. 

The  wounded  partridge  hideth  in  a furrow,  and  a stricken 
conscience  would  be  left  alone  ; 

But  when  its  breast  is  healed,  it  runneth  gladly  with  its 
fellows : 

Whereas  the  solitary  heron,  standing  in  the  sedgy  fen, 

Holdeth  aloof  from  the  social  world,  intent  on  wiles  and 
death. 

Need  but  of  light  philosophy  to  dare  the  world’s  dread 
laugh ; 

For  a little  mind  courteth  notoriety,  to  illustrate  its  puny  self ; 

But  the  sneer  of  a man’s  own  comrades  trieth  the  muscles  of 
courage, 

And  to  be  derided  in  his  home  is  as  a viper  in  the  nest : 

The  laugh  of  a hooting  world  hath  in  it  a notion  of  sublimity, 

But  the  tittering  private  circle  stingeth  as  a hive  of  wasps. 

Some  have  commended  ridicule : counting  it  the  test  of 
truth.  (26) 

But  neither  wittily  nor  wisely  ; for  truth  must  prove  ridicule ; 

Otherwise  a blunt  bulrush  is  to  pierce  the  proof  armor  of 
argument, 

Because  the  stolidity  of  ignorance  took  it  for  a barbed  shaft. 

Softer  is  the  hide  of  the  rhinoceros  than  the  heart  of  deriding 
unbelief, 


OF  COMMENDATION. 


133 


SERIES  I.] 

And  truth  is  idler  there  than  the  Bushman’s  feathered  reed  : 

A droll  conceit  parrieth  a thrust  that  should  have  hit  the 
conscience, 

And  the  leering  looks  of  humor  tickle  the  childish  mind  ; 

For  that  the  matter  of  a man  is  mingled  most  with  folly, 

Neither  can  he  long  endure  the  searching  gaze  of  wisdom. 

It  is  pleasanter  to  see  a laughing  cheek  than  a serious  fore- 
head, 

And  there  liveth  not  one  among  a thousand  whose  idol  is  not 
pleasure : 

Ridicule  is  a weak  weapon,  when  levelled  at  a strong  mind  ; 

But  common  men  are  cowards,  and  dread  an  empty  laugh. 

Fear  a nettle,  and  touch  it  tenderly, — its  poison  shall  burn 
thee  to  the  shoulder  ; 

But  grasp  it  with  b^d  hand, — is  it  not  a bundle  of  myrrh  7 

Betray  mean  terror  of  ridicule,  thou  shalt  find  fools  enough  to 
mock  thee : 

But  answer  thou  their  laughter  with  contempt,  and  the 
scoffers  will  lick  thy  feet. 


OF  COMMENDATION. 

The  praise  of  holy  men  is  a promise  of  praise  from  their 
Master ; 

A forerunning  earnest  of  thy  welcome, — Well  done,  faithful 
servant ; 

A rich  preludious  note,  that  droppeth  softly  on  thine  ear, 

To  tell  thee  the  chords  of  thy  heart  are  in  tune  with  the 

choirs  of  heaven.  ; 

Yet  is  it  a dangerous  hearing,  for  the  sweetness  may  lull  thee  | 
into  slumber, 

And  the  cordial  quaffed  with  thirst  may  generate  the  fumes 
of  presumption. 

So  seek  it  not  for  itself,  but  taste,  and  go  gladly  on  thy 
way, 


12 


134  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

For  the  mariner  slacketh  not  his  sail,  though  the  sandal- 
groves  of  Araby  allure  him ; 

And  the  fragrance  of  that  incense  would  harm  thee,  as  when, 
on  a summer  evening, 

The  honied  yellow  flowers  of  the  broom  oppress  thy  charmed 

sense : 

And  a m in  hath  too  much  of  praise,  for  he  praiseth  himself 
continually ; 

Neither  lacketh  he  at  any  time  self-commendation  or  excuse. 

Praise  a fool,  and  slay  him : for  the  canvas  of  his  vanity  is 
spread ; 

His  bark  is  shallow  in  the  water,  and  a sudden  gust  shall 
sink  it : * 

Praise  a wise  man,  and  speed  him  on  his  way ; for  he  cai- 
rieth  the  ballast  of  humility. 

And  is  glad  when  his  course  is  cheered  by  the  sympathy  of 
brethren  ashore. 

The  praise  of  a good  man  is  good,  for  he  holdeth  up  the  mir- 
ror of  Truth, 

That  Virtue  may  see  her  own  beauty,  and  delight  in  her  own 
fair  face : 

The  praise  of  a bad  man  is  evil,  for  he  hideth  the  deformity 
of  Vice, 

Casting  the  mantle  of  a queen  around  the  limbs  of  a leper. 

Praise  is  rebuke  to  the  man  whose  conscience  alloweth  it  not : 

And  where  conscience  feeleth  it  her  due,  no  praise  is  better 
than  a little. 

He  that  despiseth  the  outward  appearance,  despiseth  the  es- 
teem of  his  fellows ; 

And  he  that  overmuch  regardeth  it,  shall  earn  only  their  con- 
tempt: 

The  honest  commendation  of  an  equal  no  one  can  scorn,  and 
be  blameless, 

Yet  even  that  fair  fame  no  one  can  hunt  for  and  be  hon- 
ored : 


series  i.]  OF  COMMENDATION.  135 

If  it  come,  accept  it  and  be  thankful,  and  be  thou  humble  in 
accepting ; 

If  it  tarry,  be  no  -thou  cast  down ; the  bee  can  gather  honey 
out  of  rue : 

And  is  thine  aim  so  low,  that  the  breath  of  those  around  thee 

Can  speed  thy  feathered  arrow,  or  retard  its  flight  1 

The  child  sbooteth  at  u butterfly,  but  the  man’s  mark  is  an 
eagle : 

And  while  his  fellows  talk,  he  hath  conquered  in  the 
clouds. 

Ally  thee  to  truth  and  godliness,  and  use  the  talents  in  thy 
charge ; 

So  shalt  thou  walk  in  peace,  deserving,  if  not  having. 

With  a friend,  praise  him  when  thou  canst;  for  many  a 
friendship  hath  decayed, 

Like  a plant  in  a crowded  corner,  for  want  of  sunshine  on  its 
leaves : 

With  another  praise  him  not  often— otherwise  he  shall  de- 
spise thee ; 

But  be  thou  frugal  in  commending ; so  will  he  give  honor  to 
thy  judgment : 

For  thou  that  dost  so  zealously  commend,  art  acknowledging 
thine  own  inferiority, 

And  he,  thou  so  highly  hast  exalted,  shall  proudly  look  down 
on  thy  esteem. 

Wilt  thou  that  one  remember  a thing  1— praise  him  in  the 
midst  of  thy  advice ; 

Never  yet  forgat  man  the  word  whereby  he  hath  been  praised. 

Better  to  be  censured  by  a thousand  fools,  than  approved  but 
by  one  man  that  is  wise ; 

For  the  pious  are  slower  to  help  right,  than  the  profane  to 
hinder  it : 

S(\  where  the  world  rebuketh,  there  look  thou  for  the  excel- 
lent, 

And  be  suspicious  of  the  good,  which  wicked  men  can  praise. 


135  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  captain  bindeth  his  troop,  not  more  by  severity  than 
kindness, 

And  justly,  should  recompense  well-doing,  as  well  as  be  strict 
with  an  offender ; 

The  laurel  is  cheap  to  the  giver,  but  precious  in  his  sight 
who  hath  won  it, 

And  the  heart  of  the  soldier  rejoiceth  in  the  approving  glance 
of  his  chief. 

Timely-given  praise  is  even  better  than  the  merited  rebuke 
of  censure, 

For  the  sun  is  more  needful  to  the  plant  than  the  knife  that 
cutteth  out  a canker ; 

Many  a father  hath  erred,  in  that  he  hath  withheld  reproof, 

But  more  have  mostly  sinned,  in  withholding  praise  where  it 
was  due : 

There  be  many  such  as  Eli  among  men ; but  these  be  more 
culpable  than  Eli, 

Who  chill  the  fountain  of  exertion  by  the  freezing  looks  of 
indifference : 

Ye  call  a man  easy  and  good,  yet  he  is  as  a two-edged 
sword,  x 

He  rebuke  th  not  vice,  and  it  is  strong : he  comforteth  not  vir- 
tue, and  it  fainteth. 

There  is  nothing  more  potent  among  men  than  a gift  timely 
bestowed, 

And  a gift  kept  back  where  it  was  hoped,  separateth  chief 
friends : 

For  what  is  a gift  but  a symbol,  giving  substance  to  praise 
and  esteem  1 

And  where  is  a sharper  arrow  than  the  sting  of  unmerited 
neglect  1 

Expect  not  praise  from  the  mean,  neither  gratitude  from  the 
selfish ; 

And  to  keep  the  proud  thy  friend,  see  thou  do  him  not  a 
service : 


series  i.J  OF  COMMENDATION.  137 

For,  behold,  he  will  hate  thee  for  his  debt : thou  hast  hum- 
bled him  by  giving ; 

And  his  stubbornness  never  shall  acknowledge  the  good  he 
hath  taken  from  thy  hand : 

Yea,  rather  will  he  turn  and  be  thy  foe,  lest  thou  gather  from 
his  friendship, 

That  he  doth  account  thee  creditor,  and  standeth  in  the  se- 
cond place. 

Still,  O kindly  feeling  heart,  be  not  thou  chilled  by  the  thank- 
less, 

Neither  let  the  breath  of  gratitude  fan  thee  into  momentary 
heat ; 

Do  good  for  good’s  own  sake,  looking  not  to  worthiness  nor 
love : 

Fling  thy  grain  among  the  rocks,  cast  thy  bread  upon  the 
waters, 

His  claim  be  strongest  to  thy  help,  who  is  thrown  most  help- 
lessly upon  thee, — 

So  shalt  thou  have  a better  praise,  and  reap  a richer  harvest 
of  reward. 

If  a man  hold  fast  to  thy  creed,  and  fit  his  thinking  to  thy 
notions, 

Thou  shalt  take  him  for  a man  right  minded,  yea,  and  excuse 
his  evil : 

But  seest  thou  not,  O bigot,  that  thy  zeal  is  but  a hunting 
after  praise, 

And  the  full  pleasure  of  a proselyte  lieth  in  the  flattering  of 
self  I 

A man  of  many  praises  meeteth  many  welcomes, 

But  he  who  blameth  often,  shall  not  keep  a friend ; 

The  velvet-coated  apricot  is  one  thing,  and  the  spiked  horse- 
chestnut  is  another, 

A handle  of  smooth  amber  is  pleasanter  than  rough  buck-horn. 

Show  me  a popular  man ; I can  tell  thee  the  secret  of  his 
power ; 


12* 


138  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPPIY.  [series  i. 

He  hath  soothed  them  with  glozing  words,  lulling  their  ears 
with  flattery, 

The  smile  of  seeming  approbation  is  ever  the  companion  of 
his  presence, 

And  courteous  looks,  and  warm  regards,  earn  him  all  their 
hearts. 

Nothing  but  may  be  better,  and  every  better  might  be  best  * 

The  blind  may  discern,  and  the  simple  prove,  fault  or  want 
in  all  things, 

And  a little  mind  looketh  on  the  lily  with  a microscopic  eye, 

Eager  and  glad  to  pry  out  specks  on  its  robe  of  purity ; 

But  a great  mind  gazeth  on  the  sun,  glorying  in  his  bright- 
ness, 

And  taking  large  knowledge  of  his  good,  in  the  broad  prairie 
of  creation: 

What,  though  he  hatch  basilisks  ? what,  though  spots  are  on 
the  sun  ? 

In  fulness  is  his  worth,  in  fulness  be  his  praise ! 


OF  SELF-ACQUAINTANCE. 

Knowledge  holdeth  by  the  hilt,  and  heweth  out  a road  to 
conquest ; 

Ignorance  graspeth  the  blade,  and  is  wounded  by  its  own 
good  sword : 

Knowledge  distilleth  health  from  the  virulence  of  opposite 
poisons  ; 

Ignorance  mixetli  wholesomes  unto  the  breeding  of  disease  : 

Knowledge  is  leagued  with  the  universe,  and  findeth  a friend 
in  all  things  ; 

But  ignorance  is  everywhere  a stranger ; unwelcome,  ill  at 
ease,  and  out  of  place. 

A man  is  helpless  and  unsafe  up  to  the  measure  of  his  igno- 
rance, 

.j 


series  i.]  OF  SELF-ACQUAINTANCE.  139 

For  he  lacketh  perception  of  the  aptitudes  commending  such 
a matter  to  his  use, 

Clutching  at  the  horn  of  danger,  while  he  judgeth  it  the 
handle  of  security. 

Or  casting  his  anchor  so  widely,  that  the  granite  reef  is  just 
within  the  tether. 

Untaught  in  science  he  is  but  half  alive,  stupidly  taking  note 
of  nothing, 

Or  listening  with  dull  wonder  to  the  crafty  saws  of  an  em- 
piric ; 

Simple  in  the  world,  he  trusteth  unto  knaves  ; and  then  to 
make  amends  for  folly, 

Dealeth  so  shrewdly  with  the  honest,  they  cannot  but  sus- 
pect him  for  a thief ; 

With  an  unknown  God,  he  maketh  mock  of  reason,  fathering 
contrivance  on  chance, 

Or  doting  with  superstitious  dread  on  some  crooked  image  of 
his  fancy, 

But  ignorant  of  self,  he  is  weakness  at  heart ; the  keystone 
crumbleth  into  sand, 

There  is  panic  in  the  general’s  tent,  the  oak  is  hollow  as 
hemlock ; 

Though  the  warm  sap  creepeth  up  its  bark,  filling  out  the 
sheaf  of  leaves, 

Though  knowledge  of  all  things  beside  add  proofs  of  seeming 
vigor, 

Though  the  master-mind  of  the  royal  sage  feast  on  the  mys- 
teries of  wisdom, 

Yet  ignorance  of  self  shall  bow  down  the  spirit  of  a Solomon 
to  idols ; 

The  storm  of  temptation,  sweeping  by,  shall  snap  that  oak 
like  a reed, 

And  the  proud  luxuriance  of  its  tufted  crown  drag  it  the  sooner 
to  the  dust. 


Youth,  confident  in  self,  tampereth  with  dangerous  dalliance, 


140  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Till  the  vice  his  heart  once  hated  hath  locked  him  in  her 
foul  embrace : 

Manhood,  through  zeal  of  doing  good,  seeketh  high  place  for 
its  occasions, 

Unwitting  that  the  bleak  mountain-air  will  nip  the  tender 
budding  of  his  motives  ; ^ 

Or  painfully,  for  love  of  truth,  he  climbeth  the  ladder  of  sci- 
ence, 

Till  pride  of  intellect,  heating  his  heart,  warpeth  it  aside  to 
delusion : 

The  maiden,  to  give  shadow  to  her  fairness,  plaiteth  her  ra- 
ven hair, 

Heedlessly  weaving  for  her  soul  the  silken  net  of  vanity  : 

The  grey-beard  looketh  on  his  gold,  till  he  loveth  its  yellow 
smile, 

Unconscious  of  the  bright  decoy  which  is  luring  his  heart 
unto  avarice : 

Wrath  avoideth  no  quarrel,  jealousy  counteth  its  sus- 
picions, 

Pining  envy  gazeth  still,  and  melancholy  seeketh  solitude, 

The  sensitive  broodeth  on  his  slights,  the  fearful  poreth  over 
horrors, 

The  train  of  wantonness  is  fired,  the  nerves  of  indecision  are 
unstrung, 

Each  special  proneness  unto  harm  is  pampered  by  ignorant 
indulgence, 

And  the  man,  for  want  of  warning,  yieldeth  to  the  apt  tempt 
ation. 

A smith  at  the  loom,  and  a weaver  at  the  forge,  were  but 
sorry  craftsmen ; 

And  a ship  that  saileth  on  every  wind  never  shall  reach  her 
port : 

Yet  there  be  thousands  among  men  who  heed  not  the  lean- 
ing of  their  talents, 

But,  cutting  against  the  grain,  toil  on  to  no  good  end  ; 


series  i.]  OF  SELF-ACQUAINTANCE.  141 

And  the  light  of  a thoughtful  spirit  is  quenched  beneath  the 
bushel  of  commerce, 

While  meaner  plodding  minds  are  driven  up  the  mountain  of 
philosophy : 

The  cedar  withereth  on  a wall,  while  the  house-leek  is  fat- 
tening in  a hot-bed, 

And  the  dock  with  its  rank  leaves  hideth  the  sun  from  vio 
lets. 

To  everything  a fitting  place,  a proper  honorable  use  ; 

The  humblest  measure  of  mind  is  bright  in  its  humble  sphere : 

The  glowworm,  creeping  in  the  hedge,  lighteth  her  evening 
torch, 

And  her  far-ofT  mate,  on  gossamer  sail,  steereth  his  course  by 
that  star : 

But  ignorance  mocketh  at  proprieties,  bringing  out  the  glow- 
worm at  noon, 

And  setteth  the  faults  of  mediocrity  in  the  full  blaze  of  wis- 
dom. 

Ravens  croaking  in  darkness,  and  a skylark  trilling  to  the 
sun, 

The  voice  of  a screech-owl  from  a ruin,  and  the  black-hird’s 
whistle  in  a wood, 

A cushion-footed  camel  for  the  sands,  and  a swift  reindeer 
for  the  snows, 

A naked  skin  for  Ethiopia,  and  rich  soft  furs  for  the  Pole : 

In  all  things  is  there  a fitness : discord  with  discord  hath  its 
music ; 

And  the  harmony  of  nature  is  preserved  by  each  one  know- 
ing his  place. 

The  blind  at  an  easel,  the  palsied  with  a graver,  the  halt 
making  for  the  goal, 

The  deaf  ear  tuning  psaltery,  the  stammerer  discoursing 
eloquence, — 

What  wonder  if  all  fail  'l  the  shaft  flieth  wide  of  the  mark 

Alike  if  itself  be  crooked,  or  the  bow  be  strung  awry  ; 


142  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

And  the  mind  which  were  excellent  in  one  way,  but  foolishly 
toileth  in  another, 

What  is  it  but  an  ill-strung  bow,  and  its  aim  a crooked  ar- 
row 7 

By  knowledge  of  self,  thou  provest  thy  powers  ; put  not  the 
racer  to  the  plough, 

Nor  goad  the  toilsome  ox  to  wager  his  slowness  with  the  fleet : 

Consider  thy  failings,  heed  thy  propensities,  search  out  thy 
latent  virtues, 

Analyse  the  doubtful,  cultivate  the  good,  and  crush  the  head 
of  evil ; 

So  shalt  thou  catch  with  quick  hand  the  golden  ball  of  op- 
portunity. 

The  warrior  armed  shall  be  ready  for  the  fray,  beside  his 
bridled  steed ; 

Thou  shalt  ward  off  special  harms,  and  have  the  sway  of 
circumstance, 

And  turn  to  thy  special  good  the  common  current  of  events ; 

Choosing  from  the  wardrobe  of  the  world,  thou  shalt  suitably 
clothe  thy  spirit, 

Nor  thrust  the  white  hand  of  peace  into  the  gauntlet  of  de- 
fiance : 

The  shepherd  shall  go  with  a staff,  and  conquer  by  sling  and 
stone ; 

The  soldier  shall  let  alone  the  distaff,  and  the  scribe  lay 
down  the  sword ; 

The  man  unlearned  shall  keep  silence,  and  earn  one  attribute 
of  wisdom ; 

The  sage  be  sparing  of  his  lessons  before  unhearing  ears  : 

Calm  shalt  thou  be,  as  a lion  in  repose,  conscious  of  passive 
strength, 

And  the  shock  that  splitteth  the  globe,  shall  not  unthrone 
thy  self-possession. 

Acquaint  thee  with  thyself,  O man ! so  shalt  thou  be  hum- 
ble: 


% * 

series  i.]  OF  SELF- ACQUAINTANCE.  143 

The  hard  hot  desert  of  thy  heart  shall  blosson  with  the  lily 
and  the  rose ; 

The  frozen  cliffs  of  pride  shall  melt  as  an  iceberg  in  the  tro- 
pics ; 

The  bitter  fountains  of  self-seeking  be  sweeter  than  the 
waters  of  the  Nile. 

But  if  thou  lack  that  wisdom, — thy  frail  skiff  is  doomed, 

On  stronger  eddy  whirling  to  the  dreadful  gorge  ; 

Untaught  in  that  grand  lore, — thou  standest,  cased  in  steel, 

To  dare  with  mocking  unbelief  the  thunderbolts  of  heaven. 

For  look  now  around  thee  on  the  universe,  behold  how  all 
things  serve  thee ; 

The  teeming  soil,  and  the  buoyant  sea,  and  undulating 
air, 

Golden  crops,  and  bloomy  fruits,  and  flowers,  and  precious 
gems, 

Choice  perfumes  and  fair  sights,  soft  touches  and  sweet 
music : 

For  thee,  shoaling  up  the  bay,  crowd  the  finny  nations, 

For  thee,  the  cattle  on  a thousand  hills  live  and  labor  and 
die  . 

Light  is  thy  daily  slave,  darkness  inviteth  thee  to  slumber  ; 

Thou  art  served  by  the  hands  of  Beauty,  and  Sublimity 
kneeleth  at  thy  feet : 

Arise,  thou  sovereign  of  creation,  and  behold  thy  glory ! 

Yet  more,  thou  hast  a mind  ; intellect  wingeth  thee  to  heaven, 

Tendeth  thy  state  on  earth,  and  by  it  thou  divest  down  to 
hell; 

Thou  hast  measured  the  belt  of  Saturn,  thou  hast  weighed 
the  moons  of  Jupiter, 

And  seen,  by  reason’s  eye,  the  centre  of  thy  globe ; 

Subtly  hast  thou  numbered  by  billions  the  leagues  between 
sun  and  sun, 

And  noted  in  thy  book  the  coming  of  their  shadows  : 

With  marvellous  unerring  truth  thou  knowest  to  an  inch  and 
to  an  instant. 


* ♦ 

144  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  where  and  the  when  of  the  comet’s  path  that  shall  seem 
to  rush  by  at  thy  command : 

Arise,  thou  king  of  mind,  and  survey  thy  dignity  ! 

Yet  more, — for  once  believe  religion’s  flattering  tale ; 

Thou  hast  a soul,  aye,  and  a God,  but  be  not  therefore  hum- 
bled : 

Thy  Maker’s  self  was  glad  to  live  and  die — a man ; 

The  brightest  jewel  in  his  crown  is  voluntary  manhood: 

By  deep  dishonor  and  great  price,  bought  he  that  envied  free- 
dom, 

But  thou  wast  born  an  heir  of  all,  thy  Master  scarce  could 
earn. 

O climax  unto  pride,  O triumph  of  humanity, 

O triple  crown  upon  thy  brow,  most  high  and  mighty  Self ! 
Arise,  thou  Lord  of  all,  thou  greater  than  a God  ! — 

How  saidst  thou,  wretched  being  1 — cast  thy  glance  within  ; 
Regard  that  painted  sepulchre,  the  hovel  of  thy  heart. 

Ha  ! with  what  fearful  imagery  swarmeth  that  small  cham- 
ber ; 

The  horrid  eye  of  murder  scowling  in  the  dark, 

The  bony  hand  of  avarice,  filching  from  the  poor, 

The  lurid  fires  of  lust,  the  idiot  face  of  folly, 

The  sickening  deed  of  cruelty,  the  foul  fierce  orgies  of  the 
drunken, 

Weak  contemptible  vanity,  stubborn  stolid  unbelief, 

Envy’s  devilish  sneer,  and  the  vile  features  of  ingratitude, — 
Man,  hast  thou  seen  enough  1 or  are  these  full  proof 
That  thou  art  a miracle  of  mercy,  and  all  thy  dignity  is  dross  1 

Well  said  the  wisdom  of  earth,  O mortal,  know  thyself; 

But  better  the  wisdom  of  heaven,  O man,  learn  thou  thy 
God: 

By  knowledge  of  self  thou  art  conusant  of  evil,  and  mailed  in 
panoply  to  meet  it ; 

By  knowledge  of  God  cometh  knowledge  of  good,  and  uni- 
versal love  is  at  thy  heart. 


bxries  i.j  OF  CRUELTY  TO  ANIMALS.  145 

Every  creature  knoweth  its  capacities,  running  in  the  road  of 
instinct, 

And  reason  must  not  lag  behind,  but  serve  itself  of  all  pro- 
prieties : 

The  swift  to  the  race,  and  the  strong  to  the  burden,  and  the 
wise  for  right  direction  ; 

For  self-knowledge  filleth  with  acceptance  its  niche  in  the 
temple  of  utility : 

But  vainly  wilt  thou  look  for  that  knowledge,  till  the  clue  of 
all  truth  is  in  thy  hand, 

For  the  labyrinth  of  man’s  heart  windeth  in  complicate  de- 
ceivings : 

Thou  canst  not  sound  its  depths  with  the  shallow  plumb-line 
of  reason, 

Till  religion,  the  pilot  of  the  soul,  have  lent  thee  her  unfa- 
thomable coil : 

Therefore,  for  this  grand  knowledge,  and  knowledge  is  the 
parent  of  dominion, 

Learn  God,  thou  shalt  know  thyself ; yea,  and  shalt  have 
mastery  of  all  things. 


OF  CRUELTY  TO  ANIMALS. 

Shame  upon  thee,  savage  monarch-man,  proud  monopolist 
of  reason ; 

Shame  upon  Creation’s  lord,  the  fierce  ensanguined  despot : 

What,  man ! are  there  not  enough,  hunger,  and  disease,  and 
fatigue, — 

And  yet  must  thy  goad  or  thy  thong  add  another  sorrow  to 
existence  ? 

What ! art  thou  not  content  thy  sin  hath  dragged  down  suf- 
fering and-  death 

On  the  poor  dumb  servants  of  thy  comfort,  and  yet  must  thou 
rack  them  with  their  spite  ? 

The  prodigal  heir  of  creation  hath  gambled  away  his  all, — 


346  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  {series  i. 

Shall  he  add  torment  to  the  bondage  that  is  galling  his  forfeit 
serfs  ? 

The  leader  in  nature’s  paean  himself  hath  marred  her  psaltery, 

Shall  he  multiply  t.]jie  din  of  discord  by  overstraining  all  the 
strings  1 •. C • • 

The  rdb$  hath  fortified  his  stronghold,  shutting  in  his  vas- 
sal^ with -him — 

Shall  he  aggravate  the  woes  of  the  besieged  by  oppression 
from  within  1 

Thou  twice  deformed  image  of  thy  Maker,  thou  hateful 
representative  of  Love, 

For  very  shame  be  merciful,  be  kind  unto  the  creatures  thou 
hast  ruined ; 

Earth  and  her  million  tribes  are  cursed  for  thy  sake  ; 

Eitrth  and  her  million  tribes  still  writhe  beneath  thy  cruelty: 

Liveth  there  but  one  among  the  million  that  shall  not  bear 
witness  against  thee, 

A pensioner  of  land  or  air  or  sea,  that  hath  not  whereof  it 
will  accuse  thee  1 

From  the  elephant  toiling  at  a launch,  to  the  shrew  mouse 
in  the  harvest-field, 

From  the  whale  which  the  harponeer  hath  stricken,  to  the 
minnow  caught  upon  a pin, 

From  the  albatross  wearied  in  its  flight,  to  the  wren  in  her 
covered  nest, 

From  the  death-moth  and  lace-winged  dragon-fly,  to  the 
lady-bird  and  the  gnat, 

The  verdict  of  all  things  is  unanimous,  finding  their  master 
cruel : 

The  dog,  thy  humble  friend,  thy  trusting  honest  friend  ; 

The  ass,  thine  uncomplaining  slave,  drudging  from  morn  to 
even ; 

The  lamb,  and  the  timorous  hare,  and  the  laboring  ox  at 
plough ; 

The  speckled  trout,  basking  in  the  shallow,  and  the  partridge, 
gleaning  in  the  stubble, 




series  i.J  OF  CRUELTY  TO  ANIMALS.  147 

And  the  stag  at  bay,  and  the  worm  in  thy  path,  and  the  wild 
bird  pining  in  captivity, 

And  all  things  that  minister  alike  to  thy  life  and  thy  comfort 
and  thy  pride,  - " .. 

Testify  with  one  sad  voice  that  man  is  a crue-l  master. 

Verily,  they  are  all  thine : freely  mayst  thou  serve  thee  of 
them  all : 

They  are  thine  by  gift  for  thy  needs,  to  be  used  in  all  grati- 
tude and  kindness : 

Gratitude  to  their  God  and  thine, — their  Father  and  thy 
Father, 

Kindness  to  them  who  toil  for  thee,  and  help  thee  with  their 
all: 

For  meat,  but  not  by  wantonness  of  slaying ; for  burden,  but 
with  limits  of  humanity ; 

For  luxury,  but  not  through  torture  ; for  draught,  but  accord- 
ing to  the  strength : 

For  a dog  cannot  plead  his  own  right  nor  render  a reason  for 
exemption, 

Nor  give  a soft  answer  unto  wrath,  to  turn  aside  the  unde- 
served lash ; 

The  galled  ox  cannot  complain,  nor  supplicate  a moment’s 
respite ; 

The  spent  horse  hideth  his  distress,  till  he  panteth  out  his 
spirit  at  the  goal ; 

Also,  in  the  winter  of  life,  when  worn  by  constant  toil, 

If  ingratitude  forget  his  services,  he  cannot  bring  them  to 
remembrance ; 

Behold  he  is  faint  with  hunger ; the  big  tear  standeth  in  his 
eye ; 

His  skin  is  sore  with  stripes,  and  he  tottereth  beneath  his 
burden ; 

His  limbs  are  stiff  with  age,  his  sinews  have  lost  their  vigor, 

And  pain  is  stamped  upon  his  face,  while  he  wrestleth  un- 
equally with  toil ; 


148  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Yet  once  more  mutely  and  meekly  endureth  he  the  crushing 
blow; 

That  struggle  hath  cracked  his  heart-strings, — the  generous 
brute  is  dead ! 

Liveth  there  no  advocate  for  him?  no  judge  to  avenge  his 
wrongs  ? 

No  voice  that  shall  be  heard  in  his  defence  ? no  sentence  to 
be  passed  on  his  oppressor  ? 

Yea,  the  sad  eye  of  the  tortured  pleadeth  pathetically  for 
him : 

Yea,  all  the  justice  in  heaven  is  roused  in  indignation  at  his 
woes : 

Yea,  all  the  pity  upon  earth  shall  call  down  a curse  upon  the 
cruel : 

Yea,  the  burning  malice  of  the  wicked  is  their  own  exceed- 
ing punishment. 

The  Angel  of  Mercy  stoppeth  not  to  comfort,  but  passeth  by 
on  the  other  side, 

And  hath  no  tear  to  shed  when  a cruel  man  is  damned. 


OF  FRIENDSHIP. 

As  frost  to  the  bud,  and  blight  to  the  blossom,  even  such  is 
self-interest  to  friendship : 

For  Confidence  cannot  dwell  where  Selfishness  is  porter  at 
the  gate. 

If  thou  see  thy  friend  to  be  selfish,  thou  canst  not  be  sure  of 
his  honesty ; 

And  in  seeking  thine  own  weal,  thou  hast  wronged  the  reli- 
ance of  thy  friend. 

Flatterv  hideth  her  varnished  face  when  Friendship  sitteth 
at  his  board ; 

And  the  door  is  shut  upon  suspicion,  but  candor  is  bid  glad 
welcome, 

For  friendship  abhorreth  doubt,  its  life  is  in  mutual  trust, 


series  i.]  OF  FRIENDSHIP.  149 

And  perisheth,  when  artful  praise  proveth  it  is  sought  for  a 
purpose. 

A man  may  be  good  to  thee  at  times,  and  render  thee  mighty 
service, 

Whom  yet  thy  secret  soul  could  not  desire  as  a friend ; 

For  the  sum  of  life  is  in  trifles,  and  though,  in  the  weightier 

masses, 

A man  refuse  thee  not  his  purse,  nay,  his  all  in  thine  utmost 
need, 

Yet,  if  thou  canst  not  feel  that  his  character  agree th  with 
thine  own, 

Thou  never  wilt  call  him  friend,  though  thou  render  him  a 
heart  full  of  gratitude. 

A coarse  man  grindeth  harshly  the  finer  feelings  of  his  brother  ; 

A common  mind  will  soon  depart  from  the  dull  companion- 
ship of  wisdom ; 

A weak  soul  dareth  not  to  follow  in  the  track  of  vigor  and 
decision; 

And  the  worldly  regardeth  with  scorn  the  seeming  foolish- 
ness of  faith. 

A mountain  is  made  up  of  atoms,  and  friendship  of  little 
matters, 

And  if  the  atoms  hold  not  together,  the  mountain  is  crum- 
bled into  dust. 

Come,  I will  show  thee  a friend ; I will  paint  one  worthy 
of  thy  trust: 

Thine  heart  shall  not  weary  of  him:  thou  shalt  not  secretly 
despise  him. 

Thou  art  long  in  learning  him,  in  unravelling  all  his  worth ; 

And  he  dazzleth  not  thine  eyes  at  first,  to  be  darkened  in  thy 
sight  afterward, 

But  riseth  from  small  beginnings,  and  reacheth  the  height  of 
thy  esteem. 

He  remeinbereth  that  thou  ar*  only  man ; he  expecteth  not 
great  things  from  thee  ; 

13* 


! 150  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

« 

And  his  forbearance  toward  thee  silently  teacheth  thee  to  be 
considerate  unto  him. 

He  despiseth  not  courtesy  of  manner,  nor  neglecteth  the 
decencies  of  life : 

Nor  mocketh  the  failings  of  others,  nor  is  harsh  in  his  cen- 
sures before  thee ; 

For  so,  how  couldst  thou  tell,  if  he  talketh  not  of  thee  in 
ridicule  7 

He  withholdeth  no  secret  from  thee,  and  rejecteth  not  thine 
in  turn ; 

He  shareth  his  joys  with  thee,  and  is  glad  to  bear  part  in  thy 
sorrows. 

Yet  one  thing,  he  loveth  thee  too  well  to  show  thee  the  cor- 
ruptions of  his  heart : 

For  as  an  ill  example  strengtheneth  the  hands  of  the  wicked, 

So  to  put  forward  thy  guilt  is  a secret  poison  to  thy  friend  : 

For  the  evil  in  his  nature  is  comforted,  and  he  warreth  more 
weakly  against  it, 

If  he  find  that  the  friend  whom  he  honoreth  is  a man  more 
sinful  than  himself. 

I hear  the  communing  of  friends  ; ye  speak  out  the  fulness 
of  your  souls, 

And  being  but  men,  as  men,  ye  own  to  all  the  sympathies  of 
manhood:  (26) 

Confidence  openeth  the  lips,  indulgence  beameth  from  the  eye, 

The  tongue  loveth  not  boasting,  the  heart  is  made  glad  with 
kindness : 

And  one  standeth  not  as  on  a hill,  beckoning  to  the  other  to 
follow, 

But  ye  toil  up  hand  in  hand,  and  carry  each  other’s  burdens. 

Ye  commune  of  hopes  and  aspirations,  the  fervent  breathings 
of  the  heart, 

Ye  speak  with  pleasant  interchange  the  treasured  secrets  of 
affection, 

Ye  listen  to  the  voice  of  complaint,  and  whisper  the  language 
of  comfort, 


series  i.]  OF  FRIENDSHIP.  151 

And,  as  in  a do  ible  solitude,  ye  think  in  each  other’s  hearing. 

Choose  thy  friend  discreetly,  and  see  thou  consider  his  sta- 
tion, * 

For  the  graduated  scale  of  ranks  accordeth  with  the  ordinance 
of  heaven : 

If  a low  companion  ripen  to  a friend,  in  the  full  sunshine  of 
thy  confidence, 

Know,  that  for  old  age  thou  hast  heaped  up  sorrow : 

For  thou  sinkest  to  that  level,  and  thy  kin  shall  scorn  thee, 
Yea,  and  the  menial  thou  hast  pampered  haply  shall  neglect 
thee  in  thy  death : 

And  if  thou  reachest  up  to  high  estates,  thinking  to  herd  with 
princes, 

What  art  thou  but  a footstool,  though  so  near  a throne  7 
O rush  among  the  lilies,  be  taught  thou  art  a weed, 

O brier  among  the  cedars,  hot  contempt  shall  burn  thee. 

But  thou,  friend  and  scholar,  select  from  thine  own  caste, 
And  make  not  an  intimate  of  one,  thy  servant  or  thy  master ; 
For  only  friendship  among  men  is  the  true  republic, 

Where  all  have  equality  of  service,  and  all  have  freedom  of 
command. 

And  yet,  if  thou  wilt  take  my  judgment,  be  shy  of  too  much 
openness  with  any, 

Lest  thou  repent  hereafter,  should  he  turn  and  fbnd  thee  : 
For  many  an  apostate  friend  hath  abused  unguarded  con- 
fidence, 

And  bent  to  selfish  ends  the  secret  of  the  soul. 

Absence  strengtheneth  friendship,  where  the  last  recollec- 
tions were  kindly ; 

But  it  must  be  good  wine  at  the  last,  or  absence  shall  weaken 
it  daily. 

A rare  thing  is  faith,  and  friendship  is  a marvel  among  men, 
Yet  strange  faces  call  they  friends,  and  say  they  believe 
when  they  doubt. 


152  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Those  hours  are  not  lost  that  are  spent  in  cementing  affec- 
tion ; 

For  a friend  is  above  gold,  precious  as  the  stores  of  the  mind. 

Be  sparing  of  advice  by  words,  but  teach  thy  lesson  by  exam- 
ple : 

For  the  vanity  of  man  may  be  wounded,  and  retort  unkindly 
upon  thee. 

There  be  some  that  never  had  a friend,  because  they  were 
gross  and  selfish : 

Worldliness,  and  apathy,  and  pride,  leave  not  many  that  are 
worthy : 

But  one  who  meriteth  esteem,  need  never  lack  a friend ; 

For  as  thistledown  flieth  abroad,  and  casteth  its  anchor  in 
the  soil, 

So  philanthropy  yearneth  for  a heart,  where  it  may  take  root 
and  blossom. 

Yet  I hear  the  child  of  sensibility  moaning  at  the  wintry 
cold, 

Wherein  the  mists  of  selfishness  have  wrapped  the  society  of 
men: 

He  grieveth,  and  hath  deep  reasons ; for  falsehood  hath 
wronged  his  trust, 

And  the  breaches  in  his  bleeding  heart  have  been  filled  with 
the  briers  of  suspicion. 

For  alas,  how  few  be  friends,  of  whom  charity  hath  hoped 
well ! 

How  few  there  be  among  men  who  forget  themselves  for 
other ! 

Each  one  seeketh  his  own,  and  looketh  on  his  brethren  as 
rivals, 

Masking  envy  with  friendship,  to  serve  his  secret  ends. 

And  the  world,  that  corrupteth  all  good,  hath  wronged  that 
sacred  name, 

For  it  caileth  any  man  friend,  who  is  not  known  for  an  ene- 
my ; 


series  i.]  OF  LOVE.  153 

And  such  be  as  the  flies  of  summer,  while  plenty  sitteth  at 
thy  board ; 

But  who  can  wonder  at  their  flight  from  the  cold  denials  of 
want  ? 

Such  be  as  vultures  round  a carcase,  assembled  together  for 
the  feast : 

But  a sudden  noise  scareth  them,  and  forthwith  are  they 
specks  among  the  clouds. 

There  be  few,  O child  of  sensibility,  who  deserve  to  have 
thy  confidence ; 

Yet  weep  not,  for  there  are  some,  and  such  some  live  for 
thee : 

To  them  is  the  chilling  world  a drear  and  barren  scene, 

And  gladly  seek  they  such  as  thou  art,  for  seldom  find  they 
the  occasion. 

For,  though  no  man  excludeth  himself  from  the  high  capa- 
bility of  friendship, 

Yet  verily  the  man  is  a marvel  whom  truth  can  write  a 
friend. 


OF  LOVE. 

There  is  a fragrant  blossom,  that  maketh  glad  the  garden  of 
the  heart. 

Its  root  lieth  deep ; it  is  delicate,  yet  lasting,  as  the  lilac 
crocus  of  autumn : 

Loneliness  and  thought  are  the  dews  that  water  it  morn  and 
even ; 

Memory  and  Absence  cherish  it,  as  the  balmy  breathings  of 
the  south : 

Its  sun  is  the  brightness  of  affection,  and  it  bloometh  in  the 
borders  of  Hope ; 

Its  companions  are  gentle  flowers,  and  the  brier  withereth  by 
its  side. 

I saw  it  budding  in  beauty  ; I felt  the  magic  of  its  smile ; 


154  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  violet  rejoiced  beneath  it,  the  rose  stooped  down  and 
kissed  it 

And  I thought  some  cherub  had  planted  there  a truant  flower 
of  Eden, 

As  a bird  bringeth  foreign  seeds,  that  they  may  flourish  in  a 
kindly  soil. 

I saw  and  asked  not  its  name  ; I knew  no  language  was  so 
wealthy, 

Though  every  heart  of  every  clime  findeth  its  echo  within. 
And  yet  what  shall  I say  7 Is  a sordid  man  capable  of— 
Love  7 

Hath  a seducer  known  it  7 Can  an  adulterer  perceive  it  7 
Or  he  that  seeketh  strange  women,  can  he  feel  its  purity  1 
Or  he  that  changeth  often,  can  he  know  its  truth  7 
Longing  for  another’s  happiness,  yet  often  destroying  its 
own; 

Chaste,  and  looking  up  to  God,  as  the  fountain  of  tenderness 
and  joy ; 

Quiet,  yet  flowing  deep,  as  the  Rhine  among  rivers  ; 

Lasting,  and  knowing  not  change — it  walketh  with  Truth 
and  Sincerity. 

Love  : — what  a volume  in  a word,  an  ocean  in  a tear, 

A seventh  heaven  in  a glance,  a whirlwind  in  a sigh, 

The  lightning  in  a touch,  a millennium  in  a moment, 

What  concentrated  joy  or  woe  in  blest  or  blighted  love ! 

For  it  is  that  native  poetry  springing  up  indigenous  to  Mind, 
The  heart’s  own  country  music  thrilling  all  its  chords, 

The  story  without  an  end  that  angels  throng  to  hear, 

The  word,  the  king  of  words,  carved  on  Jehovah’s  heart ! 
Oh!  call  thou  snake-eyed  malice  mercy,  call  envy  honest 
praise, 

Count  selfish  craft  for  wisdom,  and  coward  treachery  for  pru- 
dence, 

Do  homage  to  blaspheming  unbelief  as  to  bold  and  free  phi- 
losophy, 


OF  LOVE. 


SERIES  I.J 


155 


And  estimate  the  recklessness  of  license  as  the  right  attri- 
bute of  liberty, — 

But  with  the  world,  thou  friend  and  scholar,  stain  not  this 
pure  name  ; 

Nor  suffer  the  majesty  of  Love  to  be  likened  to  the  meanness 
of  desire : 

For  Love  is  no  more  such,  than  seraphs’  hymns  are  discord, 

And  such  is  no  more  Love,  than  ^Etna’s  breath  is  summer. 


Love  is  a sweet  idolatry,  enslaving  all  the  soul, 

A mighty  spiritual  force,  warring  with  the  dullness  of  ma  tter, 
An  angel-mind  breathed  into  a mortal,  though  fallen  yet  how 
beautiful ! 

All  the  devotion  of  the  heart  in  all  its  depth  and  grandeur. 
Behold  that  pale  geranium,  pent  within  the  cottage  window; 
How  yearningly  it  stretcheth  to  the  light  its  sickly  long- 
stalked  leaves, 

How  it  straineth  upward  to  the  sun,  coveting  his  sweet  influ- 
ences, 

How  real  a living  sacrifice  to  the  god  of  all  its  worship ! 

Such  is  the  soul  that  loveth ; and  so  the  rose-tree  of  affection 
Bendeth  its  every  leaf  to  look  on  those  dear  eyes, 

Its  every  blushing  petal  basketh  in  their  light, 

And  all  its  gladness,  all  its  life,  is  hanging  on  their  love. 

If  the  love  of  the  heart  is  blighted,  it  buddeth  not  again  ; 

If  that  pleasant  song  is  forgotten,  it  is  to  be  learnt  no  mere : 
Yet  often  will  thought  look  back,  and  weep  over  early  affec- 
tion ; 

And  the  dim  notes  of  that  pleasant  song  will  be  heard  as  a 
reproachful  spirit, 

Moaning  in  yEolian  strains  over  the  desert  of  the  heart, 
Where  the  hot  siroccos  of  the  world  have  withered  its  one 
oasis. 


156 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


OF  MARRIAGE. 

Seek  a good  wife  of  thy  God,  for  she  is  the  best  gift  of  his 
providence ; 

Yet  ask  not  in  bold  confidence  that  which  he  hath  not  pro- 
mised. 

Thou  knowest  not  his  good-will : — be  thy  prayer  then  sub- 
missive thereunto; 

And  leave  thy  petition  to  his  mercy,  assured  that  he  will 
deal  well  with  thee.  • 

If  thou  art  to  have  a wife  of  thy  youth,  she  is  now  living  on 
the  earth  ; 

Therefore  think  of  her,  and  pray  for  her  weal ; yea,  though 
thou  hast  not  seen  her. 

They  that  love  early  become  like-minded,  and  the  tempter 
toucheth  them  not: 

They  grow  up  leaning  on  each  other,  as  the  olive  and  the 
vine. 

Youth  longeth  for  a kindred  spirit,  and  yearneth  for  a heart 
that  can  commune  with  his  own  ; 

He  meditateth  night  and  day,  doting  on  the  image  of  his 
fancy. 

Take  heed  that  what  charmeth  thee  is  real,  nor  springeth  of 
thine  own  imagination ; 

And  suffer  not  trifles  to  win  thy  love ; for  a wife  is  thine 
unto  death. 

The  harp  and  the  voice  may  thrill  thee, — sound  may  enchant 
thine  ear, 

But  consider  thou, — the  hand  will  wither,  and  the  sweet 
notes  turn  to  discord : 

The  eye,  so  brilliant  at  even,  may  be  red  with  sorrow  in  the 
morning ; 

And  the  sylph-like  form  of  elegance  must  writhe  in  the 
crampings  of  pain. 


series  i.J  OF  MARRIAGE.  157 

O happy  lot,  and  hallowei  I,  even  as  the  joy  of  angels, 

Where  the  golden  chain  of  godliness  is  entwined  with  the 
roses  of  love  : 

But  beware,  thou  seem  not  to  be  holy,  to  win  favor  in  the 
eyes  of  a creature, 

For  the  guilt  of  the  hypocrite  is  deadly,  and  winneth  thee 
wrath  elsewhere, 

The  idol  of  thy  heart  is  as  thou,  a probationary  sojourner  on 
earth 

Therefore  be  chary  of  her  soul,  for  that  is  the  jewel  in  her 
casket. 

Let  her  be  a child  of  God,  that  she  bring  with  her  a blessing 
to  thy  hou<e, — 

A blessing  above  riches,  and  leading  contentment  in  its  train : 

Let  her  be  an  heir  of  heaven : so  shall  she  help  thee  on  thy 
way ; 

For  those  who  are  one  in  faith,  fight  double-handed  against 
evil. 

Take  heed  lest  she  love  thee  before  God  ; that  she  be  not  an 
idol  a tor : 

Yet  see  that  she  love  thee  well : for  her  heart  is  the  heart  of 
woman ; . 

And  the  triple  nature  of  humanity  must  be  bound  by  a triple 
chain, 

For  soul  and  mind  and  body — godliness,  esteem,  and  affection. 


How  beautiful  is  modesty ! it  winneth  upon  all  beholders : 

But  a word  or  a glance  may  destroy  the  pure  love  that  should 
have  been  for  thee. 

Affect  not  to  despise  beauty ; no  one  is  freed  from  its  dominion : 

But  regard  it  not  a pearl  of  price : — it  is  fleeting  as  the  b^w  in 
the  clouds. 

If  the  character  within  be  gentle,  it  often  hath  its  index  in 
the  countenance : 

The  soft  smile  of  a loving  face  is  better  than  splendor  that 
fadeth  quickly. 


14 


158  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

When  thou  choosest  a wife,  think  not  only  of  thyself, 

But  of  those  God  may  give  thee  of  her,  that  they  reproach 
thee  not  for  their  being: 

See  that  he  hath  given  her  health,  lest  thou  lose  her  early 
and  weep ; 

See  that  she  springeth  of  a wholesome  stock,  that  thy  little 
ones  perish  not  before  thee : 

For  many  a fair  skin  hath  covered  a mining  disease, 

And  many  a laughing  cheek  been  bright  with  the  glare  of 
madness. 

Mark  the  converse  of  one  thou  lovest,  that  it  be  simple  and 
sincere ; 

For  an  artful  or  false  woman  shall  set  thy  pillow  with  thorns. 

Observe  her  deportment  with  others,  when  she  thinketh  not 
that  thou  art  nigh, 

For  with  thee  will  the  blushes  of  love  conceal  the  true  color 
of  her  mind. 

Hath  she  learning'?  it  is  good,  so  that  modesty  go  with  it: 

Hath  she  wisdom  1 it  is  precious,  but  beware  that  thou  ex- 
ceed ; 

For  woman  must  be  subject,  and  the  true  mastery  is  of  the 
mind. 

Be  joined  to  thine  equal  in  rank,  or  the  foot  of  pride  will  kick 
at  thee : 

And  look  not  only  for  riches,  lest  thou  be  mated  with  mise- 
ry : 

Marry  not  without  means ; for  so  shouldst  thou  tempt  Provi- 
dence ; 

But  wait  not  for  more  than  enough ; for  marriage  is  the  dvty 
of  most  men ; 

Grievous  indeed  must  be  the  burden  that  shall  outweigh  in- 
nocence and  health. 

And  a well-assorted  marriage  hath  not  many  cares 

In  the  day  of  the  joy  consider  the  poor : thou  shalt  reap  a 
rich  harvest  of  blessing ; 


series  i.J  OF  MARRIAGE.  159 

For  these  bo  the  pensioners  of  One  who  filleth  thy  cup  with 
pleasures , 

In  the  cl:?y  of  thy  joy  be  thankful:  He  hath  well  deserved 

thy  praise : 

Mean  and  seifish  is  the  heart  that  seeketh  him  only  in  sorrow. 

For  her  sake,  who  leaneth  on  thine  arm,  court  not  the  notice 
of  the  world, 

And  remember  that  ^ober  privacy  is  comelier  than  public 
display. 

If  thou  marriest,  thou  art  allied  unto  strangers : see  they  be 
not  such  as  shame  thee  : 

If  thou  marriest,  thou  leavest  thine  own ; see  that  it  be  not 
done  in  anger. 

Bride  and  bridegroom,  pilgrims  of  life,  henceforward  to  travel 
together, 

In  this  the  beginning  of  your  journey,  neglect  not  the  favor 
of  Heaven : 

Let  the  day  of  hopes  fulfilled  be  blest  by  many  prayers, 

And  at  eventide  kneel  ye  together,  that  your  joy  be  not  un- 
hallowed : 

Angels  that  are  round  you  shall  be  glad,  those  loving  minis- 
ters of  mercy, 

And  the  richest  blessings  of  your  God  shall  be  poured  on  his 
favored  children. 

Marriage  is  a figure  and  an  earnest  of  holier  things  unseen, 

And  reverence  well  becometh  the  symbol  of  dignity  and  glory. 

Keep  thy  heart  pure,  lest  thou  do  dishonor  to  thy  state  ; 

Selfishness  is  base  and  hateful ; but  love  considereth  not 
itself. 

The  wicked  turneth  good  into  evil,  for  his  mind  is  warped 
within  him ; 

But  the  heart  of  the  righteous  is  chaste  ; his  conscience  cast- 
eth  otT  sin. 

If  thou  wilt  be  loved,  render  implicit  confidence  ; 

If  thou  wouldst  not  suspect,  receive  full  confidence  in  turn  : 


360  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

For  where  trust  is  not  reciprocal,  the  love  that  trusted 
wi  there  th. 

Hide  not  your  grief  nor  your  gladness  ; be  open  one  with  the 
other ; 

Let  bitterness  be  strange  unto  your  tongues,  but  sympathy  a 
dweller  in  your  hearts  ; 

Imparting  halveth  the  evils,  while  it  doubleth  the  pleasures 
of  life, 

But  sorrows  breed  and  thicken  in  the  gloomy  bosom  of  Re- 
serve. 

Young  wife,  be  not  froward,  nor  forget  that  modesty  beco- 
ineth  thee . 

If  it  be  discarded  now,  who  will  not  hold  it  feigned  before  7 

But  be  not  as  a timid  girl, — there  is  honor  due  to  thine  estate : 

A matron’s  modesty  is  dignified ; she  blusheth  not,  neither  is 
she  bold. 

Be  kind  to  the  friends  of  thine  husband,  for  the  love  they 
have  to  him : 

And  gently  bear  with  his  infirmities  ; hast  thou  no  need  of 
his  forbearance  ? 

Be  not  always  in  each  other’s  company ; it  is  often  good  to 
be  alone ; 

And  if  there  be  too  much  sameness,  ye  cannot  but  grow 
weary  of  each  other ; 

Ye  have  each  a soul  to  be  nourished,  and  a mind  to  be  taught 
in  wisdom, 

Therefore,  as  accountable  for  time,  help  one  another  to  im- 
prove it. 

If  ye  feel  love  to  decline,  track  out  quickly  the  secret  cause ; 

Let  it  not  rankle  for  a day,  but  confess  and  bewail  it  to- 
gether : 

Speedily  seek  to  be  reconciled,  for  love  is  the  life  of  mar- 
riage ; 

And  be  ye  co-partners  in  triumph,  conquering  the  peevish- 
ness of  self. 


series  i.J  OF  EDUCATION.  161 

Let  no  one  have  thy  confidence,  O wife,  saving  thine  hus- 
band : 

Have  not  a friend  more  intimate,  O husband,  than  thy  wife. 

In  the  joy  of  a well-ordered  home,  be  warned  that  this  is  not 
your  rest ; 

For  the  substance  to  come  may  be  forgotten  in  the  present 
beauty  of  the  shadow. 

If  ye  are  blessed  with  children  ye  have  a fearful  pleasure, 

A deeper  care  and  a higher  joy,  and  the  range  of  your  exist- 
ence is  widened : 

If  God  in  wisdom  refuse  them,  thank  him  for  an  unknown 
mercy : 

For  how  can  ye  tell  if  they  might  be  a blessing  or  a curse  ? 

Yet  ye  may  pray,  like  Hannah,  simply  dependent  on  his 
will : 

Resignation  sweeteneth  the  cup,  but  impatience  dasheth  it 
with  vinegar. 

Now  this  is  the  sum  of  the  matter : — if  ye  will  be  happy  in 
marriage, 

Confide,  love,  and  be  patient : be  faithful,  firm,  and  holy. 

Y.  OF  EDUCATION. 

A babe  in  a house  is  a well-spring  of  pleasure,  a messenger 
of  peace  and  love : 

A resting  place  for  innocence  on  earth ; a link  between  angels 
and  men : 

Yet  is  it  a talent  of  trust,  a loan  to  be  rendered  back  with  in- 
terest ; 

A delight,  but  redolent  of  care  ; honey-sweet,  but  lacking  not 
the  bitter. 

For  character  groweth  day  by  day,  and  all  things  aid  it  in 
unfolding, 

And  the  bent  unto  good  or  evil  may  be  given  in  the  hours  of 
infancy : 

14* 


162  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Scratch  the  green  rind  of  a sapling,  or  wantonly  twist  it  in 
the  soil, 

The  scarred  and  crooked  oak  will  tell  of  the©  for  centuries  to 
come ; 

Even  so  mayst  thou  guide  the  mind  to  good,  or  lead  it  to  the 
marrings  of  evil, 

For  disposition  is  builded  up  by  the  fashioning  of  first  im- 
pressions : 

Wherefore,  though  the  voice  of  Instruction  waiteth  for  the 
ear  of  reason, 

Yet  with  its  mother’s  milk  the  young  child  drinketh  Educa- 
tion. 

Patience  is  the  first  great  lesson ; he  may  learn  it  at  the  breast ; 

And  the  habit  of  obedience  and  trust  may  be  grafted  on  his 
mind  in  the  cradle : 

Hold  the  little  hands  in  prayer,  teach  the  weak  knees  their 
kneeling ; 

Let  him  see  thee  speaking  to  thy  God ; he  will  not  forget  it 
afterward : 

When  old  and  grey,  will  he  feelingly  remember  a mother’s 
tender  piety, 

And  the  touching  recollection  of  her  prayers  shall  arrest  the 
strong  man  in  his  sin. 

Select  not  to  nurse  thy  darling  one  that  may  taint  his  in- 
nocence, 

For  example  is  a constant  monitor,  and  good  seed  will  die 
among  the  tares. 

The  arts  of  a strange  servant  have  spoiled  a gentle  disposi- 
tion : 

Mother,  let  him  learn  of  thy  lips,  and  be  nourished  at  thy 
breast. 

Character  is  mainly  moulded  by  the  cast  of  the  minds  that 
surround  it : 

Let  then  the  playmates  of  thy  little  one  be  not  other  than 
thy  judgment  shall  approve  ; 


OF  EDUCATION. 


SERIES  I.] 


163 


Fora  child  is  in  a new  world,  and  learneth  somew  hat  every 
moment, 

His  eye  is  quick  to  observe,  his  memory  storeth  in  secret, 

His  ear  is  greedy  of  knowledge,  and  his  mind  is  plastic  as 
soft  wax. 

Beware  then  that  he  heareth  what  is  good,  that  he  feedeth 
not  on  evil  maxims, 

For  the  seeds  of  first  instructions  are  dropped  into  the  deep- 
est furrows. 

That  which  immemorial  use  hath  sanctioned,  seemeth  to  be 
right  and  true ; 

Therefore,  let  him  never  have  to  recollect  the  time  when 
good  things  were  strangers  to  his  thought. 

Strive  not  to  centre  in  thyself,  fond  mother,  all  his  love  ; 

Nay,  do  not  thou  so  selfishly,  but  enlarge  his  heart  for  others  ; 

Use  him  to  sympathy  betimes,  that  he  learn  to  be  sad  with 
the  afflicted ; 

And  check  not  a child  in  his  merriment, — should  not  his 
morning  be  sunny  7 

Give  him  not  all  his  desire,  so  shalt  thou  strengthen  him  in 
hope ; • 

Neither  stop  with  indulgence  the  fountain  of  his  tears,  so 
shall  he  fear  thy  firmness. 

Above  all  things  graft  on  him  subjection,  yea  in  the  veriest 
trifle ; 

Courtesy  to  all,  reverence  to  some,  and  to  thee  unanswering 
obedience. 


Read  thou  first,  and  well  approve,  the  books  thou  givest  to 
thy  child ; 

But  remember  the  weakness  of  his  thought,  and  that  wisdom 
for  him  must  be  diluted ; 

In  the  honied  waters  of  infant  tales,  let  him  taste  the  strong 
wine  of  truth : 

Pathetic  stories  soften  the  heart ; but  legends  of  terror  breed 
midnight  misery ; 


164  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Fairy  fictions  cram  the  mind  with  folly,  and  knowledge  of  evil 
tempteth  to  like  evil : 

Be  not  loath  to  curb  imagination,  nor  be  fearful  that  truths 
will  depress  it  ; 

And  for  evil,  he  will  learn  it  soon  enough  ; be  not  thou  the 
devil’s  envoy.  ' • 

Induce  not  precocity  of  intellect,  for  so  shouldst  thou  nourish 
vanity ; 

Neither  can  a plant,  forced  in  the  hot-bed,  stand  against  the 
frozen  breath  of  winter. 

The  mind  is  made  wealthy  by  ideas,  but  the  multitude  of 
words  is  a clogging  weight : 

Therefore  be  understood  in  thy  teaching,  and  instruct  to  the 
measure  of  capacity. 

Analogy  is  milk  for  babes,  but  abstract  truths  are  strong  meat ; 

Precepts  and  rules  are  repulsive  to  a child,  but  happy  illustra- 
tion winneth  hiift : 

In  vain  shalt  thou  preach  of  industry  and  prudence,  till  he 
learn  of  the  bee  and  the  ant ; 

Dimly  will  he  think  of  his  soul,  till  the  acorn  and  the  chry- 
salis have  taught  him 

He  will  fear  God  in  thunder,  and  worship  his  loveliness  in 
flowers ; 

And'  parables  shall  charm  his  heart,  while  doctrines  seem 
dead  mystery ; 

Faith  shall  he  learn  of  the  husbandman  casting  good  com 
into  the  soil ; 

And  if  thou  train  him  to  tmst  thee,  he  will  not  withhold  his 
reliance  from  the  Lord. 

Fearest  thou  the  dark,  poor  child  1 I would  not  have  thee 
left  to  thy  terrors  ; 

Darkness  is  the  semblance  of  evil,  and  nature  regardeth  it 
with  dread : 

Yet  know  thy  father’s  God  is  with  thee  still,  to  guard  thee  : 

It  is  a simple  lesson  of  dependence,  let  thy  tost  mind  anchor 
upon  Him. 


series  i.J  OF  EDUCATION.  165 

Did  a sudden  noise  affright  thee  1 lo,  this  or  that  hath  caused 
it: 

Things  undefined  are  full  of  dread,  and  stagger  stouter  nerves. 

The  seeds  of  misery  and  madness  have  been  sowed  in  the 
nights  of  infancy ; 

Therefore  be  careful  that  ghastly  fears  be  not  the  night  com- 
panions of  thy  child. 

Lo,  thou  art  a land-mark  on  a hill ; thy  little  ones  copy  thee 
in  all  things. 

Let,  then,  thy  religion  be  perfect : so  shalt  thou  be  honored  in 
thy  house. 

Be  instructed  in  all  wisdom,  and  communicate  that  thou 
knowest, 

Otherwise  thy  learning  is  hidden,  and  thus  thou  seemest 
unwise. 

A sluggard  hath  no  respect ; an  epicure  commandeth  not  re- 
verence : 

Meanness  is  always  despicable,  and  folly  provoketh  contempt. 

Those  parents  are  best  honored  whose  characters  best  de- 
serve it ; 

Show  me  a child  undutiful,  I shall  know  where  to  look  for  a 
foolish  father : 

Never  hath  a father  done  his  duty,  and  lived  to  be  despised 
of  his  son. 

But  how  can  that  son  reverence  an  example  he  dare  not  fol- 
low! 

Should  he  imitate  thee  in  thine  evil!  his  scorn  is  thy  rebuke. 

Nay,  but  bring  him  up  aright,  in  obedience  to  God  and  to  thee  ; 

Begin  betimes,  lest  thou  fail  of  his  fear ; and  with  judgment, 
that  thou  lose  not  his  love : 

Herein  use  good  discretion,  and  govern  not  all  alike. 

Yet,  perhaps,  the  fault  will  be  in  thee,  if  kindness  prove  not 
all  sufficient : 

By  kindness,  the  wolf  and  the  zebra  become  docile  as  the 
spaniel  and  the  horse  : 


166 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


[SERIES  I. 


The  kite  feedeth  with  the  starling,  under  the  law  of  kindness : 

That  law  shall  tame  the  fiercest,  bring  down  the  battlements 
of  pride, 

Cherish  the  weak,  control  the  strong,  and  win  the  featful 
spirit. 

Be  obeyed  when  thou  conmiandest;  but  command  not  often: 

Let  thy  carriage  be  the  gentleness  of  love,  not  the  stern  front 
of  tyranny  ; 

Make  not  one  child  a warning  to  another : but  chide  the 
offender  apart : 

For  self-conceit  and  wounded  pride  rankle  like  poisons  in  the 
soul. 

A mild  rebuke  in  the  season  of  calmness,  is  better  than  a rod 
in  the  heat  of  passion,  % 

Nevertheless  spare  not,  if  thy  word  hath  passed  for  punish- 
ment ; 

Let  not  thy  child  see  thee  humbled,  nor  learn  to  think  thee 
false ; 

Suffer  none  to  reprove  thee  before  him,  and  reprove  not  thine 
own  purposes  by  change ; 

Yet  speedily  turn  thou  again,  and  reward  him  where  thou 
canst, 

For  kind  encouragement  in  good  cutteth  at  the  roots  of  evil. 


Drive  not  a timid  infant  from  his  home,  in  the  early  spring- 
time of  his  life, 

Commit  not  that  treasure  to  an  hireling,  nor  wrench  the 
young  heart’s  fibres : 

In  his  helplessness  leave  him  not  alone,  a stranger  among 
strange  children,  9 

Where  affection  longeth  for  thy  love,  counting  the  dreary 
hours ; 

Where  religion  is  made  a terror,  and  innocence  weepeth  un- 
heard ; 

Where  oppression  grindeth  without  remedy,  and  cruelty  de- 
lighteth  in  smiting. 


series  i.J  OF  EDUCATION.  167 

Wherefore  comply  with  an  evil  fashion  7 Is  it  not  to  spare 
thee  trouble  7 

Can  he  gather  no  knowledge  at  thy  mouth  1 Wilt  thou  yield 
thine  honor  to  another  7 

What  c-'n  he  gain  in  learning,  to  equal  what  he  loseth  in 
innocence  7 

Alas ! for  the  price  above  gold,  by  which  such  learning 
ccineth  ! 

For  cmul  >tive  pride  and  envy  are  the  specious  idols  of  the 

diligent. 

Oaths  and  foul-mouthed  sin  burn  in  the  language  of  the  idle: 
Bolder  in  the  mimic  world  of  boys  st;freth  brazen-fronted  vice, 
Then  thereafter  in  the  haunts  of  men,  where  society  doth 
shame, her  into  corners. 

My  soul,  look  well  around  thee,  ere  thou  give  thy  timid 
infant  unto  sorrows. 

There  br  many  that  say,  We  were  happiest  in  days  long  past, 
When  our  deepest  care  was  an  ill -conned  book, 

And  when  we  sported  in  that  merry  sunshine  of  our  life, 
Sadness,  a str  inger  to  the  heart,  and  cheerfulness  its  gay  in- 
ha,  bi+ant. 

True,  ye  are  Jiow.less  pure,  and  therefore  are  more  wretched  : 
But  have  ye  quite  forgotten  how  sorely  ye  travailed  at  your 

tasks, 

IIow  childish  griefs  and  disappointments  bowed  down  the 
childish  mind  7 

How  sorrow  sat  upon  your  pillow,  and  terror  hath  waked 
you  up  betimes, 

Dreading  the  strict  hand  of  justice,  that  will  not  wait  for  a 
reason, 

Or  the  whims  of  petty  tyrants,  children  like  yourselves, 

Or  the  pestilent  extract  of  evil  poured  into  the  ear  of  inno- 
cence 7 

Behold  the  coral  island,  fresh  from  the  floor  of  the  Atlantic, 
It  is  dinted  by  every  ripple,  and  a soft  wave  can  smoothe  its 
surface ; 


168  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

But  soon  its  substance  hardeneth  in  the  winds  and  tropic  sun, 

And  weakly  the  foaming  billows  break  against  its  adaman- 
tine wall ; 

Even  thus,  though  sin  and  care  dash  upon  the  firmness  of 
manhood, 

The  timid  child  is  wasted  most  by  his  petty  troubles  ; 

And  seldom,  when  life  is  mature,  and  the  strength  propor- 
tioned to  the  burden, 

Will  the  feeling  mind,  that  can  remember,  acknowledge  to 
deeper  anguish, 

Than  when,  as  a stranger  and  a little  one,  the  heart  first 
ached  with  anxiety, 

And  the  sprouting  buds  of  sensibility  were  bruised  by  the 
harshness  of  a school. 

My  soul,  look  well  around  thee,  ere  thou  give  thine  infant 
unto  sorrows. 

Yet  there  be  boisterous  tempers,  stout  nerves,  and  stubborn 
hearts, 

And  there  is  a riper  season,  when  the  mind  is  well  disciplined 
in  good, 

And  a time,  when  youth  may  be  bettered  by  the  wholesome 
occasions  of  knowledge, 

Which  rarely  will  it  meet  with  so  well  as  among  the  con- 
gregation of  his  fellows. 

Only  for  infancy,  fond  mother,  rend  not  those  first  affec- 
tions ; 

Only  for  the  sensitive  and  timorous,  consign  not  thy  darling 
unto  misery. 

A man  looketh  on  his  little  one,  as  a being  of  better  hope ; 

In  himsdlf  ambition  is  dead,  but  it  hath  a resurrection  in  his 
son ; 

That  vein  is  yet  untried, — and  who  can  tell  if  it  be  not 
golden  7 

While  his,  well-nigh  worked  out,  never  yielded  aught  but 
lead : 


series  i.J  OF  EDUCATION.  169 

And  thus  is  he  hurt  more  sorely,  if  his  wishes  are  defeated 
there ; 

He  has  staked  his  all  upon  a throw,  and  lo ! the  dice  have 
foiled  him. 

All  ways,  and  at  all  times,  men  follow  on  in  flocks, 

And  the  rife  epidemic  of  the  day  shall  tincture  the  stream 
of  education ; 

Fashion  is  a foolish  watcher  posted  at  the  tree  of  know- 
ledge, 

Who  plucketh  its  unripe  fruit  to  pelt  away  the  birds : 

But,  for  its  golden  apples, — they  dry  upon  the  boughs, 

And  few  have  the  courage  or  the  wisdom  to  eat  in  spite  of 
fashion  : 

One  while,  the  fever  is  to  learn,  what  none  will  be  wiser  for 
knowing, 

Exploded  errors  in  extinct  tongues,  and  occasions  for  their 
use  are  small ; 

And  the  bright  morning  of  life,  for  years  of  misspent  time, 
Wasted  in  following  sounds,  hath  tracked  up  little  sense, 

Till  at  noon  a man  is  thrown  upon  the  world,  with  a mind 
expert  in  trifles, 

Having  yet  everything  to  learn  that  can  make  him  good  or 
useful : 

The  curious  spirit  of  youth  is  crammed  with  unwholesome 
garbage, 

While  starving  for  the  mother’s  milk  the  breasts  of  nature 
yield  ; 

And  highly-colored  fables  of  depravity  lure  with  their  classic 
varnish, 

While  truth  is  holding  out  in  vain  her  mirror  much  despised. 

Of  olden  time,  the  fashion  was  for  arms,  to  make  an  accom- 
plished slayer, 

And  set  gregarious  man  a-tilting  with  his  fellows ; 
Thereafter,  occult  sciences,  and  mystic  arts,  and  symbols, 
How  ta  exorcise  a wizard,  and  how  to  lay  a ghost ; 


170 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 


Anon,  all  for  gallantry  anil  presence,  the  minuet,  the  palfry, 
and  the' foil. 

And  the  grand  aim  of  education  was  to  produce  a coxcomb; 

Soon  came  scholastical  dispute  with  hydra-headed  argument ; 

And  the  true  philosophy  of  mind  confounded  in  a labyrinth 
of  words  ; 

Then,  the  Pantheon,  and  its  orgies,  initiating  docile  child- 
hood, 

While  the  diligent  youth  strove  hard  to  render  his  all  unto 

Caesar ; 

And  now  is  seen  the  passion  for  utility,  when  all  things  are 
accounted  by  their  price, 

And  the  wisdom  of  the  wise  is  busied  in  hatching  golden 
eggs. 

Perchance,  not  many  moons  to  come,  and  all  will  again  be 
for  abstrusity, 

Unravelling  the  figured  veil  that  hideth  Egypt’s  gods ; 

Or  in  those  strange  Avatars  seeking  benignant  Vishnu, 

Kali,  and  Kamala  the  fair,  and  much-invoked  Ganesa.  (27) 

The  mines  of  knowledge  are  oft  laid  bare  through  the  forked 
hazelwand  of  chance, 

And  in  a mountain  of  quartz  we  find  a grain  of  gold. 

Of  a truth  it  were  well  to  know  all  things,  and  to  learn  them 
all  at  once, 

And  what,  though  mortal  insufficiency  attain  to  small  know- 
ledge of  any  7 

Man  loveth  exclusions  delighting  in  the  sterile  trodden  path, 

While  the  broad  green  meadow  is  jewelled  with  wild 
flowers : 

And  whether  is  it  better  with  the  many  to  follow  a beaten 
track, 

Or  by  eccentric  wanderings  to  cull  unheeded  sweets  7 

When  his  reason  yieldeth  fruit,  make  thy  child  thy  friend ! 

For  a filial  friend  is  a double  gain,  a diamond  set  in  gold. 


OF  EDUCATION. 


SERIES  I.] 


171 


As  an  infant,  thy  mandate  was  enough,  but  now  let  him  see 
thy  reasons ; 

Confide  in  him,  but  with  discretion  ; and  bend  a willing  ear 
to  his  questions. 

More  to  thee  than  to  all  beside,  let  him  owe  good  counsel  and 
good  guidance ; 

Let  him  feel  his  pursuits  have  an  interest,  more  to  thee  than 
to  all  beside. 

Watch  his  native  capacities  ; nourish  that  which  suiteth 
him  the  readiest ; 

And  cultivate  early  those  good  inclinations  wherein  thou 
fearest  he  is  most  lacking : 

Is  he  phlegmatic  and  desponding  ? let  small  successes  com- 
fort his  hope ; 

Is  he  obstinate  and  sanguine  ? let  petty  crosses  accustom 
him  to  life. 

Showeth  he  a sordid  spirit  ? be  quick,  and  teach  him  gene- 
rosity ; 

Inclineth  he  to  liberal  excess  1 prove  to  him  how  hard  it  is 
to  earn. 

Gather  to  thy  hearth  such  friends  as  are  worthy  of  honor 
and  attention, 

For  the  company  a man  chooseth  is  a visible  index  of  his 
heart : 

But  let  not  the  pastor  whom  thou  hearest  be  too  much  a 
familiar  in  thy  house, 

For  thy  children  may  see  his  infirmities,  and  learn  to  cavil 
at  his  teaching. 

It  is  well  to  take  hold  on  occasions,  and  render  indirect  in- 
struction ; 

It  is  better  to  teach  upon  a system,  and  reap  the  wisdom  of 
books : 

The  history  of  nations  yieldeth  grand  outlines : of  persons, 
minute  details. 

Poetry  is  polished  to  the  mind,  and  high  abstractions  cleanse 
it. 


172  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Consider  the  station  of  thy  son,  and  breed  him  to  his  fortune 
with  judgment : 

The  rich  may  profit  in  much  which  would  bring  small  ad- 
vantage to  the  poor. 

But  with  all  thy  care  for  thy  son,  with  all  thy  strivings  for 
his  welfare, 

Expect  disappointment,  and  look  for  pain:  for  he  is  of  an 
evil  stock,  and  will  grieve  thee. 


OF  TOLERANCE. 

A wise  man  in  a crowded  street  winneth  his  way  with  gen 
tleness, 

Nor  rudely  pusheth  aside  the  stranger  that  standeth  in  his 
path  ; 

He  knoweth  that  blind  hurry  will  but  hinder,  stirring  up 
contention  against  him, 

Yet  holdeth  he  steadily  right  on,  with  his  face  to  the  scope 
of  his  pursuit : 

Even  so,  in  the  congress  of  opinions,  the  bustling  highway 
of  intelligence, 

Each  man  should  ask  of  his  neighbor,  and  yield  to  him  again 
concession. 

Terms  ill  defined,  and  forms  misunderstood,  and  customs, 
where  their  reasons  are  unknown, 

Have  stirred  up  many  zealous  souls  to  fight  against  imagi 
nary  giants : 

But  wisdom  will  hear  the  matter  out,  and  often,  by  keen- 
ness of  perception, 

Will  find  in  strange  disguise  the  precious  truth  he  seeketh ; 

So  he  leaveth  unto  prejudice  or  taste  the  garb  and  the  man- 
ner of  her  presence, 

Content  to  see  so  nigh  the  mistress  of  his  love. 

There  is  no  similitude  in  nature  that  owneth  not  also  to  a 
difference, 


SERIES  I.J 


OF  TOLERANCE. 


173 


ITea,  no  two  berries  are  alike,  though  twins  upon  one  stem ; 

No  drop  in  the  ocean,  no  pebble  on  the  beach,  no  leaf  in  the 
forest,  hath  its  counterpart, 

No  mind  in  its  dwelling  of  mortality,  no  spirit  in  the  world 
unseen : 

And  therefore,  since  capacity  and  essence  differ  alike  with 
accident, 

None  but  a bigot  partisan  will  hope  for  impossible  unity. 

Wilt  thou  ensure  peace,  nor  buffet  with  the  waters  of  con- 
tention, 

Wilt  thou  be  counted  wise  and  gain  the  love  of  men, 

Let  unobtruded  error  escape  the  frown  of  censure, 

Nor  lift  the  glass  of  truth  alway  before  thy  fellows : 

I say  not,  compromise  the  right,  I would  not  have  thee  coun- 
tenance the  wrong, 

But  hear  with  charitable  heart  the  reasons  of  an  honest 
judgment ; 

For  thou  also  hast  erred,  and  knowest  not  when  thou  art 
most  right ; 

Nor  whether  to-morrow’s  wisdom  may  not  prove  thee  simple 
to-day ; 

Perchance  thou  art  chiding  in  another  what  once  thou  wast 
thyself ; 

Perchance  thou  sharply  reprovest  what  thou  wilt  be  hereaf- 
ter. 

A man  that  can  render  a reason,  is  a man  worthy  of  an  an- 
swer ; 

But  he  that  argueth  for  victory,  deserveth  not  the  tenderness 
of  Truth. 

Whiles  a man  liveth  he  may  mend  : count  not  thy  brother 
reprobate ; 

When  he  is  dead  his  chance  is  gone ; remember  not  his  faults 
in  bitterness. 

A man  till  he  dieth  is  immortal  in  thy  sight ; and  then  he  is 
as  nothing. 

15* 


174  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Make  not  the  living  thy  foe,  nor  take  weak  vengeance  of  the 
dead ; 

For  life  is  as  a game  of  chess,  where  least  causeth  greatest, 

And  an  ill  move  bringeth  loss,  and  a pawn  may  insure  vic- 
tory. 

Dost  thou  suspect  1 seek  out  certainty : for  now,  by  self- 
inflicted  pain, 

Or  ill-directed  wrath,  thou  wrongest  thyself  or  thy  neigh- 
bor: 

Suspicion  is  an  early  lesson,  taught  in  the  school  of  expe- 
rience, 

Neither  shalt  thou  easily  unlearn  it,  though  charity  ply  thee 
with  her  preaching ; 

Yet  look  thou  well  for  reasons,  or  ever  mistrust  hath  marred 
thee, 

Or  fear  curdled  thy  blood,  or  jealousy  goaded  thee  to  mad- 
ness : 

For  a look,  or  a word,  or  an  act,  may  be  taken  well  or  ill, 

As  construed  by  the  latitude  of  love,  or  the  closeness  of  cold 
suspicion. 

Better  is  the  wrong  with  sincerity,  rather  than  the  right 
with  falsehood : 

And  a prudent  man  will  not  lay  siege  to  the  stronghold  of 
ignorant  bigotry. 

To  unsettle  a weak  mind  were  an  easy,  inglorious  triumph, 

And  a strong  cause  taketh  little  count  of  the  worthless  suf- 
frage of  a fool : 

Lightly  he  held  to  the  wrong,  loosoly  will  he  cling  to  right ; 

Weakness  is  the  essence  of  his  mind,  and  the  reed  cannot 
yield  an  acorn. 

Dogged  obstinacy  is  oftentimes  the  buttress  that  proppeth  an 
unstable  spirit, 

But  a candid  man  blusheth  not  to  own  he  is  wiser  to-day 
than  yesterday. 

A man  of  a little  wisdom  is  a sage  among  fools  ; 


series  i.J  OF  TOLERANCE.  175 

But  himself  is  chief  among  the  fools,  if  he  look  for  admi- 
ration from  them. 

A heresy  is  an  evil  thing,  for  its  shame  is  its  pride : 

Its  necessary  difference  of  error  is  the  character  it  most 
esteemeth : 

Give  a man  all  things  short  of  liberty,  thou  shalt  have  no 
thanks, 

And  little  wilt  thou  speed  with  thine  opponent,  by  proving 
points  he  will  concede. 

The  tost  sand  darkeneth  the  waves  ; and  clear  had  been  the 
pages  of  truth, 

Had  not  the  glosses  of  men  obscured  the  simplicity  of  faith- 

In  all  things  consider  thine  own  ignorance,  and  gladly  take 
occasion  to  be  taught ; 

But  suffer  not  excess  of  liberality  to  neutralize  thy  mental 
independence. 

The  faults  and  follies  of  most  men  make  their  deaths  a gain  ; 

But  thou  also  art  a man,  full  of  faults  and  follies ; 

Therefore  sorrow  for  the  dead,  or  none  shall  weep  for  thee, 

For  the  measure  of  charity  thou  dealest,  shall  be  poured  into 
thine  own  bosom. 

That  whicfll  vexeth  thee  now,  provoking  thee  to  hate  thy 
brother, 

Bear  with  it ; the  annoyance  passeth,  and  may  not  return 
for  eve\- : 

The  same  combinations  and  results  which  aggravate  thy 
soul  to-day, 

May  not  meet  again  for  centuries  in  the  kaleidoscope  of  cir- 
cumstance ; 

For  men  and  matters  change,  new  elements  mixing  in  con- 
tinually, 

And,  as  with  chemical  magic,  the  sour  is  transmuted  into 
sweetness, 

A little  explained,  a little  endured,  a little  passed  over  as  a 
foible, 

And,  lo,  the  jagged  atoms  fit  like  smooth  mosaic. 


176  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

Thou  canst  not  shape  another’s  mind  to  suit  thine  own  body, 

Think  not,  then,  to  be  furnishing  his  brain  with  thy  special 
notions. 

Charity  walketh  with  a high  step,  and  stumbleth  not  at  a 
trifle : 

Charity  hath  keen  eyes,  but  the  lashes  half  conceal  them : 

Charity  is  praised  of  all  and  fear  not  thou  that  praise, 

God  will  not  love  thee  less  because  men  love  thee  more. (2®) 

OF  SORROW. 

I said,  I will  seek  out  sorrow,  and  minister  the  balm  of  pity  : 

So  I sought  her  in  the  house  of  mourning ; but  peace  follow- 
ed in  her  train. 

Then  I marked  her  brooding  silently  in  the  gloomy  caverns 
of  Regret ; 

But  a sunbeam  of  heavenly  hope  gleamed  on  her  folded 
wing. 

So  I turned  to  the  cabin  of  the  poor,  where  famine  dwelt  with 
disease ; 

But  the  bed  of  the  sick  was  smoothed,  and  thelfrtoughman 
whistled  at  his  labor. 

So  I stopped  and  mused  within  myself,  to  remember  where 
sorrow  dwelt, 

For  I sought  to  see  her  alone,  uncomforted,  uncompanioned. 

I went  to  the  prison,  but  penitence  was  there,  and  promise  of 
better  times ; 

I listened  at  the  madman’s  cell,  but  it  echoed  with  deluded 
laughter. 

Then  I turned  me  to  the  rich  and  noble ; I noted  the  sons  of 
fashion : 

A smile  was  on  the  languid  cheek,  that  had  no  commerce 
with  the  heart 

Unhallowed  thoughts,  like  fires,  gleamed  from  the  window 
of  the  eye, 


series  i.]  OF  SORROW.  177 

And  sorrow  lived  with  those  whose  pleasures  add  unto  their 
sins. 

His  infancy  wanted  not  guilt ; his  life  was  continued  evil ; 

He  drew  in  pride  with  his  mother’s  milk,  and  a father’s  lips 
taught  him  cursing. 

I marked  him  as  the  wayward  boy ; I traced  the  dissolute 
youth : 

I saw  him  betray  the  innocent,  and  sacrifice  affection  to  his 
lust. 

I saw  him  the  companion  of  knaves,  and  a squanderer  of  ill- 
got  gain, 

I heard  him  curse  his  own  misery,  while  he  hugged  the 
chains  that  galled  him : 

For  well  had  experience  declared  the  bitterness  of  guilty 
pleasure, 

But  habit,  with  its  iron  net,  involved  him  in  its  folds. 

Behind  him  lowered  the  thunder-storm,  which  the  caldron 
of  his  wickedness  had  brewed  ; 

Before  him  was  the  smooth  steep  cliff,  whose  base  is  ruin 
and  despair. 

So  he  rushed  madly  on,  and  tried  to  forget  his  being : 

The  noisy  revel  and  the  low  debauch,  and  fierce  excitement 
of  play, 

With  dreary  interchange  of  palling  pleasures,  filled  the  dull 
round  of  existence ; 

Memory  was  to  him  as  a foe,  so  he  flew  for  false  solace  to 
the  wine  cup, 

And  stunned  his  enemy  at  even,  but  she  rent  him  as  a giant 
in  the  morning. 

I turned  aside  to  weep ; I lost  him  a little  while : 

I looked,  years  had  past : he  was  hoar  with  the  winter  of 
his  age. 

And  what  was  now  his  hope  7 where  was  the  balm  for  his 
sadness  7 


_ 

178  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  j. 

The  memory  of  the  past  was  guilt ; the  feeling  of  the  pre- 
sent, remorse. 

Then  he  set  his  affections  on  gold,  he  worshipped  the  shrine 
of  Mammon, 

And  to  lay  richer  gifts  before  his  idol,  he  starved  his  own 
bowels ; 

So,  the  youth  spent  in  profligacy  ended  in  the  gripings  of 
want: 

The  miser  grudged  himself  husks  to  take  deeper  vengeance 
of  the  prodigal. 

And  I said,  this  is  sorrow  ; but  pity  cannot  reach  it. 

This  is  to  be  wretched  indeed,  to  be  guilty  without  repent- 
ance. 

OF  JOY. 

My  soul  was  sickened  within  me,  so  I sought  the  dwelling- 
place  of  Joy : 

And  I met  it  not  in  laughter ; I found  it  not  in  wealth  or 
power ; 

But  I saw  it  in  the  pleasant  home,  where  religion  smiled 
upon  content, 

And  the  satisfied  ambition  of  the  heart  rejoiced  in  the  favor 
of  its  God. 

Behold  the  happy  man,  his  face  is  rayed  with  pleasure, 

His  thoughts  are  of  calm  delight,  and  none  can  know  his 
blessedness : 

I have  watched  him  from  his  infancy,  and  seen  him  in  the 
grasp  of  death, 

Yet  never  have  I noted  on  his  brow  the  cloud  of  desponding 
sorrow. 

He  hath  knelt  beside  his  cradle ; his  mother’s  hymn  lulled 
him  to  sleep : 

In  childhood  he  hath  loved  holiness,  and  drank  from  that 
fountain-head  of  peace. 

Wisdom  took  him  for  her  scholar,  guiding  his  steps  in  purity : 


SERIES  I.] 


OF  JOY. 


179 


He  lived  unpolluted  by  the  world ; and  his  young  heart  hated 
sin. 

But  he  owned  not  the  spurious  religion  engendered  of  faction 
and  moroseness, 

Neither  were  the  sproutings  of  his  soul  seared  by  the  brand 
of  superstition. 

His  love  is  pure  and  single,  sincere,  and  knoweth  r.ot  change: 

For  his  manhood  has  been  blessed  with  the  pleasant  choice 
of  his  youth : 

Behold  his  one  beloved,  she  leaneth  on  his  arm, 

And  he  looketh  on  the  years  that  are  past,  to  review  the 
dawn  of  her  affection. 

Memory  is  sweet  unto  him  as  a perfect  landscape  to  the  sight; 

Each  object  is  lovely  in  itself,  but  the  whole  is  the  harmony 
of  nature. 

Behold  his  little  ones  around  him,  they  bask  in  the  warmth 
of  his  smile ; 

And  infant  innocence  and  joy  lighten  their  happy  faces ; 

He  is  holy,  and  they  honor  him  ; he  is  loving,  and  they  love 
him 

He  is  consistent,  and  they  esteem  him ; he  is  firm,  and  they 
fear  him. 

His  friends  are  the  excellent  among  men , and  the  bands  of 
their  friendship  are  strong ; 

His  house  is  the  palace  of  peace : for  the  Prince  of  Peace  is 
there. 

As  the  wearied  man  to  his  couch,  as  the  thoughtful  man  to 
his  musings, 

Even  so,  from  the  bustle  of  life,  he  goeth  to  his  well-ordered 
home. 

And  though  he  often  sin,  he  returneth  with  weeping  eyes : 

For  he  feeleth  the  mercies  of  forgiveness,  and  gloweth  with 
wanner  gratitude. 

Thus  did  he  walk  in  happiness,  and  sorrow  was  a stranger 
to  his  soul ; 


180  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

The  light  of  affection  sunned  his  heart,  the  tear  of  the  grate- 
ful bedewed  his  feet, 

He  put  his  hand  with  constancy  to  good,  and  angels  knew 
him  as  a brother, 

And  the  busy  satellites  of  evil  trembled  as  at  God’s  ally : 

He  used  his  wealth  as  a wise  steward,  making  him  friends 
for  futurity ; 

He  bent  his  learning  to  religion,  and  religion  was  with  him 
at  the  last ; 

For  I saw  him  after  many  days,  when  the  time  of  his  release 
was  come, 

And  I longed  for  a congregated  world,  to  behold  that  dying 
saint, 

As  the  aloe  is  green  and  well-liking,  till  the  last  best  summer 
of  its  age, 

And  then  hangeth  out  its  golden  bells  to  mingle  glory  with 
corruption ; 

As  a meteor  travelleth  in  splendor,  but  bursteth  in  dazzling 
light ; 

Such  was  the  end  of  the  righteous  : his  death  was  the  sun 
at  his  setting. 

Look  on  this  picture  of  joy,  and  remember  that  portrait  of 
sorrow : 

Behold  the  beauty  of  holiness,  behold  the  deformity  of 
sin : 

How  long,  ye  sons  of  men,  will  ye  scorn  the  words  of  wis- 
dom ? 

How  long  will  ye  hunt  for  happiness  in  the  caverns  that 
breed  despair  1 

Will  ye  comfort  yourselves  in  misery,  by  denying  the  exist- 
ence of  delight, 

And  from  experience  in  woe,  will  ye  reason  that  none  are 
happy  1 

Joy  is  not  in  your  path,  for  it  loveth  not  that  bleak  broad 
road, 


series  i.J  OF  JOY.  181 

But  its  flowers  are  hung  upon  the  hedges  that  line  a narrower 
way; 

And  there  the  faint  travellers  of  earth  may  wander  and 
gather  for  themselves, 

To  soothe  their  wounded  hearts  with  balm  from  the  ama- 
ranths of  heaven 

16 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY 


SECOND  SERIES, 


1 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY. 


INTRODUCTORY 

Come  again,  and  greet  me,  as  a friend,  fellow-pilgrim  upon 
life’s  highway, 

Leave  awhile  the  hot  and  dusty  road,  to  loiter  in  the  green- 
wood of  Reflection. 

Come,  unto  my  cool  dim  grotto,  that  is  watered  by  the  rivulet 
of  truth, 

And  over  whose  time  stained  rock  climb  the  fairy  flowers 
of  content: 

Here,  upon  this  mossy  bank  of  leisure,  fling  thy  load  of 
cares, 

Taste  my  simple  store.,  and  rest  one  soothing  hour. 

Behold,  I would  count  thee  for  a brother,  and  commune 
with  thy  charitable  soul ; 

Though  wrapped  within  the  mantle  of  a prophet,  I stand 
mine  own  weak  scholar. 

Heed  no  disciple  for  a teacher,  if  knowledge  be  not  found 
upon  his  tongue ; 

For  vanity  and  folly  were  the  lessons  these  lips  untaught 
could  give : 

The  precious  staple  of  my  merchandise  cometh  from  a better 
country, 

The  harvest  of  my  reaping  sprang  of  foreign  seed  ; 

And  this  poor  pensioner  of  mercy — should  he  boast  of  merit  1 
16* 


186  INTRODUCTORY.  [series  ii. 

The  grafted  stock, — should  that  be  proud  of  apples  not  its 
own  1 

Into  the  bubbling  brook  I dip  my  hermit  shell ; 

Man  receiveth  as  a cup,  but  Wisdom  is  the  river. 

Moreover,  for  this  filagree  of  fancy,  this  Oriental  garnish  of 
similitude. 

Alas,  the  world  is  old, — and  all  things  old  within  it : 

I walk  a trodden  path,  I love  the  good  old  ways  ; 

Prophets,  and  priests,  and  kings  have  tuned  the  harp  I 
faintly  touch. 

Truth  in  a garment  of  the  past,  is  my  choice  and  simple 
theme ; 

No  truth  is  new  to-day ; and  the  mantle  was  another’s. 

Still,  there  is  an  insect  swarm,  the  buzzing  cloud  of  imagery, 

Mote-like  streaming  on  my  sight,  and  thronging  my  reluctant 
mind; 

The  memories  of  studious  cullings,  and  multiplied  analo- 
gies of  nature, 

Fresh  feelings  unrepressed,  welling  from  the  heart  spontane- 
ous, 

Facts,  and  comparisons,  and  meditative  atoms,  gathered  on 
the  heap  of  combination, 

•Mingle  in  the  fashion  of  my  speech  with  gossamer  dreams 
of  Reverie. 

I need  not  beat  the  underwood  for  game  ; my  pheasants  flock 
upon  the  lawn, 

And  gambolling  hares  disport  fearless  in  my  dewy  field  ; 

I roam  no  heath-empurpled  hills,  wearily  watching  for  a 
covey, 

But  thoughts  fly  swift  to  my  decoy,  eager  to  be  caught ; 

I sit  no  quiet  angler,  lingering  patiently  for  sport, 

But  spread  my  nets  for  a draught,  and  take  the  glittering 
shoal ; 

I chase  no  solitary  stag,  tracking  it  with  breathless  toil, 


series  ii.J  INTRODUCTORY.  187 

But  hunt  with  Aureng-zebe,  and  spear  surrounded  thou- 
sands ! (!) 

What  then, — count  ye  this  a boast  7 — sweet  charity  think  it 
other, 

For  the  dog-fish  and  poisonous  ray  are  captured  in  the  mul- 
let-haul : 

The  crane  and  the  kite  are  of  my  thoughts,  alike  with  the 
partridge  and  the  quail, 

And  unclean  meats  as  of  the  clean  hang  upon  my  Seric 
shambles. 

— How,  saith  he  7 shall  a man  deceive,  dressing  up  his  jackal 
as  a lion  7 

Or  color  in  staid  hues  of  fact  the  changing  vest  of  false- 
hood 7 — 

Brother,  unwittingly  he  may;  doubtless,  unwillingly  he 
doth : 

For  men  are  full  of  fault,  and  how  should  he  be  righteous  7 

Carefully  my  garden  hath  been  weeded, .yet  shall  it  be  foul 
with  thistle ; 

My  grapery  is  diligently  thinned,  and  yet  many  berries  will 
be  sour: 

From  my  nets  have  I flung  the  bad  away,  to  my  small  skill 
and  caution : 

Yet  may  some  slimy  snake  have  counted  for  an  eel. 

The  rudder  of  man’s  best  hopes  cannot  always  steer  himself 
from  error ; 

The  arrow  of  man’s  straightest  aim  flieth  short  of  truth. 

Thus,  the  confession  of  sincerity  visit  not  as  if  it  were  pre- 
sumption ; 

Nor  own  me  for  a leader,  where  thy  reason  is  not  guide. 


188 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


OF  CHEERFULNESS. 

Take  courage,  prisoner  of  time,  for  there  be  many  comforts, 
Cease  thy  labor  in  the  pit,  and  bask  awhile  with  truants  in 
the  sun ; 

Be  cheerful,  man  of  care,  for  great  is  the  multitude  of  chances, 
Burst  thy  fetters  of  anxiety,  and  walk  among  the  citizens  of 
ease. 

Wherefore  dost  thou  doubt  ? if  present  good  is  round  thee, 

It  may  be  well  to  look  for  change,  but  to  trust  in  a continu- 
ance is  better ; 

Whilst,  at  the  crisis  of  adversity,  to  hope  for  some  amends 
were  wisdom, 

And  cheerfully  to  bear  thy  cross  in  patient  strength  is  duty. 

I speak  of  common  troubles,  and  the  petty  plagues  of  life, 

The  phantom-spies  of  Unbelief,  that  lurk  about  his  outposts : 
Sharp  suspicion,  dull  distrust,  and  sullen  stern  moroseness, 
Are  captains  in  that  locust  swarm  to  lead  the  cloudy  host. 
Thou  hast  need  of  fortitude  and  faith,  for  the  adversaries 
come  on  thickly, 

And  he  that  fled  hath  added  wings  to  his  pursuing  foes  ; 
Fight  them,  and  the  cravens  flee ; thy  boldness  is  their  panic ; 
Fear  them,  and  thy  treacherous  heart  hath  lent  the  ranks  a 
legion : 

Among  their  shouts  of  victory  resoundeth  the  wail  of  Hera- 
clitus, 

While  Democrite,  confident  and  cheerful,  hath  plucked  up 
the  standard  of  their  camp.  (2) 

Not  few  nor  light  are  the  burdens  of  life ; then  load  it  not 
with  heaviness  of  spirit ; 

Sicknesses,  and  penury,  and  travail, — there  be  real  ills  enow : 
We  are  wandering  benighted,  with  a waning  moon  ; plunge 
not  rashly  into  jungles, 


series  ii.]  OF  CHEERFULNESS.  189 

Where  cold  and  poisonous  damps  will  quench  the  torch  of 
hope ; 

The  tide  is  strong  against  us  ; good  oarsmen,  pull  or  perish, — 

If  your  arms  be  slack  for  fear,  ye  shall  not  stem  the  torrent. 

A wise  traveller  goeth  on  cheerily,  through  fair  weather  or 
foul ; 

He  knoweth  that  his  journey  must  be  sped,  so  he  carrieth  his 
sunshine  with  him. 

Calamities  came  not  as  a curse, — nor  prosperity  for  other 
than  a trial ; 

Struggle, — thou  art  better  for  the  strife,  and  the  very  energy 
shall  hearten  thee. 

Good  is  taught  in  a Spartan  school, — hard  lessons  and  a 
rough  discipline, 

But  evil  corneth  idly  of  itself,  in  the  luxury  of  Capuan  holi- 
days ; 

And  wisdom  will  go  bravely  forth  to  meet  the  chastening 
scourge, 

Enduring  with  a thankful  heart  that  punishment  of  Love. 

There  be  three  chief  rivers  of  despondency ; sin,  sorrow,  fear ; 

Sin  is  the  deepest,  sorrow  hath  its  shallows,  and  fear  is  a 
noisy  rapid  : 

But  even  to  the  darkest  holes  in  guilt’s  profoundest  river 

Ho*ve  can  pierce  with  quickening  ray,  and  all  those  depths 
are  lightened. 

So  long  as  there  is  mercy  in  a God,  hope  is  the  privilege  of 
creatures, 

And  so  soon  as  there  is  penitence  in  creatures,  that  hope  is 
exalted  into  duty. 

Verily  consider  this  for  courage  ; that  the  fearful  and  the 
unbelieving 

Are  classed  with  idolators  and  liars,  because  they  trusted 
not  in  God : (3) 

For  it  is  no  other  than  selfish  sin,  a hard  and  proud  ingrati- 
tude, 


190 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Where  seeming  repentance  is  herald  of  despair,  instead  of 
hope’s  forerunner. 

Moreover,  in  thy  day  of  Grief, — for  friends,  or  fame,  or  for- 
tune, 

Well  1 wot  the  heart  shall  ache,  and  mind  be  numbed  in 
torpor : 

Let  nature  weep  ; leave  her  alone  ; the  freshet  of  her  sorrow 
must  run  off ; 

And  sooner  will  the  lake  be  clear,  relieved  of  turbid  floodings. 

Yet  see  that  her  license  hath  a limit ; with  the  novelty  her 
agony  is  over ; 

Hasten  in  that  earliest  calm,  to  tie  her  in  the  leash  with 
Reason. 

For  regrets  are  an  enervating  folly,  and  the  season  for  energy 
is  come, 

Yea  rather,  that  the  future  may  repair  with  diligence  the 
ruins  of  the  past. 

Again,  for  empty  fears,  the  harassings  of  possible  calamity ; 

Pray,  and  thou  shalt  prosper  ; trust  in  God,  and  tread  them 
down. 

Yield  to  the  phantasy, — thou  sinnest ; resist  it,  He  will  aid 
thee: 

Out  of  Him  there  is  no  help,  nor  any  sober  courage. 

Feeble  is  the  comfort  of  the  faithless,  a man  without  a God  , 

Who  dare  qounsel  such  an  one  to  fling  away  his  fears  1 

Fear  is  the  heritage  of  him,  a portion  wise  and  merciful, 

To  drive  the  trembler  into  safety,  if  haply  he  may  turn  and 
• flee : 

Nevertheless,  let  him  reckon  an  he  will,  that  all  he  counteth 
| casual 

' May  as  well  be  for  him  as  against  him  : dice  have  many 
sides, 

And,  even  as  in  ailments  of  the  body,  diseases  follow  closely 
upon  dreads, 


series  ii.J  OF  CHEERFULNESS.  191 

So,  with  infirmities  of  mind,  is  fear  the  pallid  harbinger  of 
failure. 

It  were  wise  to  talk  undaunted  even  in  an  accidental  chaos, 

For  the  brave  man  is  at  peace  and  free  to  get  the  mastery  of 
circumstance. 

The  stoutest  armor  of  defence  is  that  which  is  worn  within 
the  bosom, 

And  the  weapon  that  no  enemy  can  parry,  is  a bold  and 
cheerful  spirit : 

Catapults  in  old  war  worked  like  Titans,  crushing  foes  with 
rocks ; 

So  doth  a strong-springed  heart  throw  back  every  load  on  its 
assailants. 


I went  heavily  for  cares,  and  fell  into  the  trance  of  sorrow : 

And  behold,  a vision  in  my  trance,  and  my  ministering  angel 
brought  it. 

There  stood  a mountain  huge  and  steep,  the  awful  Rock  of 
Ages  ; 

The  sun  upon  its  summit,  and  storms  midway,  and  deep  ra- 
vines at  foot, 

And,  as  I looked,  a dense  black  cloud,  suddenly  dropping  from 
the  thunder, 

Filled,  l.ke  a cataract  with  yeasty  foam,  a narrow  smiling 
valley : 

Close  and  hard  that  vaporous  mass  seemed  to  press  the 
ground, 

And  lamentable  sounds  came  up,  as  of  some  that  were  smo- 
thering beneath. 

Then,  us  1 walked  upon  the  mountain,  clear  in  summer’s 
noon, 

For  charity  I called  aloud,  Ho  ! climb  up  hither  to  the  sun- 
shine. 

And  even  like  a stream  of  light  my  voice  had  pierced  the 
mist ; 


192  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  u. 

I saw  below  two  families  of  men,  and  knew  their  names  of 
old ; 

Courage,  struggling  through  the  darkness,  stout  of  heart  and 
gladsome, 

Ran  up  the  shining  ladder  which  the  voice  of  hope  had 
made : 

And  tripping  lightly  by  his  side,  a sweet-eyed  helpmate  with 
him, 

I looked  upon  her  face  to  welcome  pleasant  Cheerfulness  ; 

And  a babe  was  cradled  in  her  bosom,  a laughing  little 
prattler, 

The  child  of  Cheerfulness  and  Courage, — could  his  name  be 
other  than  Success  7 

So,  from  his  happy  wife,  when  they  both  stood  beside  me  on 
the  mountain, 

The  fond  father  took  that  babe,  and  set  him  on  his  shoulder 
in  the  sunshine. 

Again  I peered  into  the  valley,  for  I heard  a gasping  moan, 

A desolate  weak  cry,  as  muffled  in  the  vapors. 

So  down  that  crystal  shaft  into  the  poisonous  mine 

I sped  for  charity  to  seek  and  save, — and  those  I sought  fled 
from  me. 

At  length,  I spied  far  distant,  a trembling  withered  dwarf, 

Who  crouched  beneath  the  cloak  of  a tall  and  spectral 
mourner ; 

Then  I knew  Cowardice  and  Gloom,  and  followed  them  on 
in  darkness, 

Guided  by  their  rustling  robes  and  moans  and  muffled  cries, 

Until  in  a suffocating  pit  the  wretched  pair  had  perished, — 

And  lo,  their  whitening  bones  were  shaping  out  an  epitaph 
of  Failure. 

So  I saw  that  despondency  was  death,  and  flung  my  burdens 
from  me, 


OF  YESTERDAY. 


193 


SERIES  II. J 

And,  lightened  by  that  effort,  I was  raised  above  the  world  ; 
Yea,  in  the  strangeness  of  my  vision,  I seemed  to  soar  on 
wings, 

And  the  names  they  called  my  wings  were  Cheerfulness  and 
Wisdom. 


OF  YESTERDAY. 

Speak,  poor  almsman  of  to-day,  whom  none  can  assure  of  a 
to-morrow, 

Tell  out,  with  honest  heart,  the  price  thou  settest  upon  yes- 
terday. 

Is  it  then  a writing  in  the  dust,  traced  by  the  finger  of  idle- 
ness, 

Which  Industry,  clean  housewife,  can  wipe  away  for 
ever? 

Is  it  as  a furrow  on  the  sand,  fashioned  by  the  toying  waves, 

Quickly  to  be  trampled  then  again  by  the  feet  of  the  return- 
ing tide  ? 

Is  it  as  the  pale  blue  smoke,  rising  from  a peasant’s  hovel, 

That  melted  into  limpid  air,  before  it  topped  the  larches  ? 

Is  it  but  a vision,  unstable  and  unreal,  which  wise  men  soon 
forget  ? 

Is  it  as  the  stranger  of  the  night, — gone,  we  heed  not  whither  ? 

Alas ! thou  foolish  heart,  whose  thoughts  are  but  as  these, 

Alas  ! deluded  soul,  that  hopeth  thus  of  Yesterday. 

For,  behold, — those  temples  of  Ellora,  the  Brahmin’s  rock- 
built  shrine, 

Behold, — yon  granite  cliff,  which  the  North  Sea  buffeteth  in 
vain, — 

That  stout  old  forest  fir, — these  waking  verities  of  life, — 

This  guest  abiding  ever,  not  strange,  nor  a servant,  but  a son, — 

Such,  O man,  are  vanity  and  dreams,  transient  as  a rainbow 
on  the  cloud, 


17 


194  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Weighed  against  that  solid  fact,  thine  ill-remembered  Yes- 
terday. 

Come,  let  me  show  thee  an  ensample,  wnere  Nature  shah 
instruct  us ; 

Luxuriantly  the  arguments  for  truth  spring  native  in  her  gar- 
dens. 

Seek  we  yonder  woodman  of  the  plain ; he  is  measuring  his 
axe  to  the  elm, 

And  anon  the  sturdy  strokes  ring  upon  the  wintry  air: 

Eagerly  the  village  schoolboys  cluster  on  the  tightened  rope, 

Shouting,  and  bending  to  the  pull,  or  lifted  from  the  ground 
elastic ; 

The  huge  tree  boweth  like  Sisera,  boweth  to  its  foes  with 
faintness, — 

Its  sinews  crack, — deep  groans  declare  the  reeling  anguish 
of  Goliath, 

The  wedge  is  driven  home, — and  the  saw  is  at  its  heart, — 
and  lo,  with  solemn  slowness, 

The  shuddering  monarch  riseth  from  his  throne, — toppled 
with  a crash, — and  is  fallen ! 

Now,  shall  the  mangled  stump  teach  proud  man  a lesson  ; 

Now,  can  we  from  that  elm-tree’s  sap  distil  the  wine  of 
Truth. 

Heed  ye  those  hundred  rings,  concentric  from  the  core, 

Eddying  in  various  waves  to  the  red  bark’s  shore-like  rim ; 

These  be  the  gathering  of  yesterdays,  present  all  to-day, 

This  is  the  tree’s  judgment,  self-history  that  cannot  be  gain- 
said : 

Seven  years  agone  there  was  a drought, — and  the  seventh 
ring  is  narrowed ; 

The  fifth  from  hence  was  half  a deluge, — the  fifth  was  cellu- 
lar and  broad. 

Thus,  Man,  thou  art  a result,  the  growth  of  many  yester- 
days, 


series  ii.]  OF  YESTERDAY.  195 

Thot  stamp  thy  secret  soul  with  marks  of  weal  or  woe  ; 

Thou  art  an  almanac  of  self,  the  living  record  of  thy  deeds  ; 

Spirit  hath  its  scars  as  well  as  body,  sore  and  aching  in  their 
season : 

Here  is  a knot,— it  was  a crime  ; there  is  a canker,— selfish- 
ness ; 

Lo,  here,  the  heart-wood  rotten;  lo,  there,  perchance,  the 
sap-wood  sound. 

Nature  teacheth  not  in  vain ; thy  worki  are  in  thee,  of  thee  ; 

Some  present  evil  bent  hath  grown  of  older  errors : 

And  what  if  thou  be  walking  now  uprightly  7 Salve  not  thy 
wounds  with  poison, 

As  if  a petty  goodness  of  to-day  hath  blotted  out  the  sin  of  yes- 
terday : 

It  is  well,  thou  hast  life  and  light ; and  the  Hewer  showeth 
mercy, 

Dressing  the  root,  pruning  the  branch,  and  looking  for  thy 
tardy  fruits  ; 

But,  even  here,  as  thou  standest,  cheerful  belike  and  careless, 

The  stains  of  ancient  evil  are  upon  thee,  the  record  of  thy 
wrong  is  in  thee : 

For,  a curse  of  many  yesterdays  is  thine,  many  yesterdays 
of  sin, 

That,  haply  little  heeded  now,  shall  blast  thy  many  mor- 
rows. 

Shall,  then,  a man  reck  nothing,  but  hurl  mad  defiance  at 
his  Judge, 

Knowing  that  less  than  an  omnipotent  cannot  make  the  has 
been,  not  been  7 

He  ought,— so  Satan  spake  ; he  must,— so  Atheism  urgeth  ; 

He  may,  it  was  the  libertine’s  thought ; he  doth,— the  bad 
world  said  it. 

But  thou  of  humbler  heart,  thou  student  wiser  for  simplicity, 

While  nature  warneth  thee  betimes,  heed  the  loving  counsel 
of  Religion. 


]96  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

True,  this  change  is  good,  and  penitence  most  precious  ; 

But  trust  not  thou  thy  change,  nor  rest  upon  repentance  ; 

For  all  we  are  corrupted  at  the  core,  smooth  as  surface 
seemeth ; 

What  health  can  bloom  in  a beautiful  skin,  when  rottenness 
hath  fed  upon  the  bones  ? 

And  guilt  is  parcel  of  us  all ; not  thou,  sweet  nurseling  of 
affection, 

Art  spotless,  though  so  passing  fair, — nor  thou,  mild  patriarch 
of  virtue. 

Behold,  then,  the  better  Tree  of  Life,  free  unto  us  all  for 
grafting. 

Cut  thee  from  the  hollow  root  of  self,  to  be  budded  on  a richer 
Vine. 

Be  desperate,  O man,  as  of  evil,  so  of  good : tear  that  tunic 
from  thee ; 

The  past  can  never  be  retrieved,  be  the  present  what  it  may. 

Vain  is  the  penance  and  the  scourge,  vain  the  fast  and  vigil ; 

The  fencer’s  cautious  skill  to-day,  can  this  erase  his  scars  7 

It  is  Man’s  to  famish  as  a faquir,  it  is  Man’s  to  die  a devotee, 

Light  is  the  torture  and  the  toil,  balanced  with  the  wages  of 
Eternity : 

But  it  is  God’s  to  yearn  in  love  on  the  humblest,  the  poorest, 
and  the  worst, 

For  he  giveth  freely,  as  a King,  asking  only  thanks  for  mercy. 

Look  upon  this  noble-hearted  Substitute ; seeing  thy  woes, 
he  pitied  thee, 

Bowed  beneath  the  mountain  of  thy  sin,  and  perished, — but 
for  Godhead ; 

There  stood  the  Atlas  in  his  power,  and  Prometheus  in  his 
love  is  there, 

Emptying  on  wretched  men  the  blessings  earned  from  hea- 
ven : 

Put  them  not  away,  hide  them  in  thy  heart,  poor  and  peni- 
tent receiver, 


series  ii.]  OF  YESTERDAY.  197 

Be  gratitude  thy  counseller  to  good,  and  wholesome  fear  unto 
obedience : 

Remember,  the  pruning-knife  is  keen,  cutting  cankers  even 
from  the  vine : 

Remember,  twelve  were  chosen,  and  one  among  them  liveth 
— in  perdition. 

Yea, — for  standing  unatoned,  the  soul  is  a bison  on  the 
prairie, 

Hunted  by  those  trooping  wolves,  the  many  sinful  yesterdays ; 

And  it  speedeth  a terrified  Deucalion,  flinging  back  the  pebble 
in  his  flight, 

The  pebble  that  must  add  one  more  to  those  pursuing 
ghosts.  (4) 

O man,  there  is  a storm  behind,  should  drive  thy  bark  to 
haven ; 

The  foe,  the  foe  is  on  thy  track,  patient,  certain,  and  aveng- 
ing; 

Day  by  day,  solemnly  and  silently,  followeth  the  fearful 
past, — 

His  step  is  lame  but  sure ; for  he  catcheth  the  present  in 
eternity : 

And  how  to  escape  that  foe,  the  present-past  in  future  1 

How  to  avert  that  fate,  living  consequence  of  causes  unex- 
istent  ? — 

Boldly  we  must  overleap  his  birth,  and  date  above  his  memo- 
ries, , 

Grafted  on  the  living  Tree  that  was  before  a yesterday ; 

No  refuge  of  a younger  birth  than  one  that  saw  creation 

Can  hide  the  child  of  time  from  still  condemning  yesterday. 

There  is  the  sanctuary-city,  mocking  at  the  wrath  of  thine 
Avenger ; 

Close  at  hand,  with  its  wicket  on  the  latch ; haste  for  thy 
life,  poor  hunted  one  ! 

The  gladiator,  Guilt,  fighteth  as  of  old,  armed  with  net  and 
dagger ; 

37* 


198  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Snaring  in  the  mesh  of  yesterdays,  stabbing  with  the  poniard 
of  to-day : 

Fly,  thy  sword  is  broken  at  the  hilt;  fly,  thy  shield  is 
shivered, 

Leap  the  barriers  and  baffle  him : the  arena  of  the  past  is 
his. 

The  bounds  of  Guilt  are  the  cycles  of  Time  ; thou  must  be 
safe  within  Eternity ; 

The  arms  of  God  alone  shall  rescue  thee  from  Yesterday. 


OF  TO-DAY. 

Now,  is  the  constant  syllable  ticking  from  the  clock  of  time, 

Now,  is  the  watchword  of  the  wise,  Now,  is  on  the  banner 
of  the  prudent. 

Cherish  thy  to-day  and  prize  it  well,  or  ever  it  be  gulfed  into 
the  past, 

Husband  it,  for  who  can  promise  if  it  shall  have  a morrow  ? 

Behold  thou  art, — it  is  enough  ; that  present  care  be  thine ; 

Leave  thou  the  past  to  thy  Redeemer,  intrust  the  future  to 
thy  Friend ; 

But  for  to-day,  child  of  man,  tend  thou  charily  the  minutes, 

The  harvest  of  thy  yesterday,  the  seed-corn  of  thy  morrow. 

Last  night  died  its  day ; and  the  deeds  thereof  were  judged 

Thou  didst  lay  thee  down  as  in  a shroud,  in  darkness  and 
deathlike  slumber ; 

But  at  the  trumpet  of  this  morn,  waking  the  world  to  resur- 
rection, 

Thou  didst  arise,  like  others,  to  live  a new  day’s  life ; 

Fear,  lest  folly  give  thee  cause  to  mourn  its  passing  pre- 
sence, 

Fear,  that  to-morrow’s  sigh  be  not,  would  God  it  had  not 
dawned  ’ 


series  II.]  OF  TO-DAY.  399 

For,  To-day  the  lists  are  set,  and  thou  must  bear  thee 
bravely, 

Tilting  for  honor,  duty,  life,  or  death  without  reproach  ; 
To-day,  is  the  trial  of  thy  fortitude,  O dauntless  Mandan 
chief ; 

To-day,  is  thy  watch,  O sentinel;  to-day  thy  reprieve,  O 
captive ; 

What  more  7 to-day  is  the  golden  chance  wherewith  to 
snatch  fruition, — 

Be  glad,  grateful,  temperate : there  are  asps  among  the  figs. 
For  the  potter’s  clay  is  in  thy  hands, — to  mould  it  or  to  mar 
it  at  thy  will, 

Or  idly  to  leave  it  in  the  sun,  an  uncouth  lump  to  harden. 

0 bright  presence  of  To-day,  let  me  wrestle  with  thee,  gra- 

cious angel, 

1 will  not  let  thee  go,  except  thou  bless  me : bless  me  then 

To-day : 

0 sweet  garden  of  To-day,  let  me  gather  of  thee,  precious 

Eden, 

1 have  stolen  bitter  knowledge,  give  me  fruits  of  life  To-day  : 

0 true  temple  of  To-day,  let  me  worship  in  thee,  glorious 

Zion; 

1 find  none  other  place,  nor  time,  than  where  I am  To-day  : 

0 living  rescue  of  To-day,  let  me  run  into  thee,  ark  of  refuge ; 

1 see  none  other  hope  nor  chance,  but  standeth  in  To-day : 

0 rich  banqnet  of  To-day,  let  me  feast  upon  thee,  saving 

manna : 

1 have  none  other  food  nor  store,  but  daily  bread  To-day ! 

Behold,  thou  art  pilot  of  the  ship,  and  owner  of  that  freight- 
ed galleon, 

Competent,  with  all  thy  weakness,  to  steer  in  safety  or  to  be 
lost : 

Compass  and  chart  are  in  thy  hand : roadstead  and  rocks 
thou  knowest; 


200  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Thou  art  warned  of  reefs  and  shallows  ; thou  beholdest  the 
harbor  and  its  lights. 

What  7 shall  thy  wantonness  or  sloth  drive  the  gallant  vessel 
on  the  breakers  7 

What  7 shall  the  helmsman’ s hand  wear  upon  the  black  lee- 

shore  7 

Vain  is  that  excuse  ; thou  canst  escape  : thy  mind  is  respon- 
sible for  wrong : 

Vain  that  murmur ; thou  may’st  live ; thy  soul  is  debtor 
for  the  right. 

To-day,  in  the  voyage  of  thy  life  down  the  dark  tide  of  time» 

Stand  boldly  to  thy  tiller,  guide  thee  by  the  pole-star  and  be 
safe ; 

To-day,  passing  near  the  sunken  rocks,  the  quicksands  and 
whirlpools  of  probation, 

Leave  awhile  the  rudder  to  swing  round,  give  the  wind  its 
heading,  and  be  wrecked. 

The  crisis  of  man’s  destiny  is  Now,  a still  recurring  danger : 

Who  can  tell  the  trials  and  temptations  coming  with  the 
coming  hour  7 

Thoustandest  a target-like  Sebastian,  and  the  arrows  whistle 
near  thee : 

Who  knoweth  when  he  may  hit  7 for  great  is  the  company 
of  archers. 

Each  breath  is  burdened  with  a bidding,  and  every  minute 
hath  its  mission ; 

For  spirits,  good  and  bad,  cluster  on  the  thickly-peopled  air : 

Sin  may  blast  thee,  grace  may  bless  thee,  good  or  ill  this 
hour : 

Chance,  and  change,  and  doubt,  and  fear,  are  parasites  of  all. 

A man’s  life  is  a tower,  with  a staircase  of  many  steps, 

That,  as  he  toileth  upward,  crumble  successively  behind 
him: 

No  going  back,  the  past  is  an  abyss ; no  stopping,  for  the 
present  perisheth ; 


series  ii. j OF  TO-MORROW.  201 

But  ever  hasting  on,  precarious  on  the  foothold  of  To-day. 
Our  cares  are  all  To-day,  our  joys  are  all  To-day  ; 

And  in  one  little  word,  our  life,  what  is  it,  but — To-day  7 


OF  TO-MORROW. 

There  is  a floating  island,  forward,  on  the  stream  of  time, 
Buoyant  with  fermenting  air,  and  borne  along  the  rapids ; 
And  on  that  island  is  a siren,  singing  sweetly  as  she  goeth, 
Her  eyes  are  bright  with  invitation,  and  allurement  lurketh 
in  her  cheeks  ; 

Many  lovers  vainly  pursuing,  follow  her  beckoning  finger, 
Many  lovers  seek  her  still,  even  to  the  cataract  of  death. 
To-morrow  is  that  island,  a vain  and  foolish  heritage, 

And,  laughing  with  seductive  lips,  Delusion  hideth  there. 
Often,  the  precious  present  is  wasted  in  visions  of  the  future, 
And  coy  To-morrow  cometh  not  with  prophecies  fulfilled. 

There  is  a fairy  skiff,  plying  on  the  sea  of  life, 

And  charitably  toiling  still  to  save  the  shipwrecked  crews ; 
Within,  kindly  patient,  sitteth  a gentle  mariner, 

Piloting,  through  surf  and  strait,  the  fragile  barks  of  men : 
How  cheering  is  her  voice,  how  skilfully  she  guideth, 

How  nobly  leading  onward  yet,  defying  even  death  ! 
To-morrow  is  that  skiff,  a wise  and  welcome  rescue, 

And,  full  of  gladdening  words  and  looks,  that  mariner  is 
Hope. 

Often,  the  painful  present  is  comforted  by  flattering  the 
future, 

And  kind  to-morrow  beareth  half  the  burdens  of  To-day. 

To-morrow,  whispereth  weakness ; and  To-morrow  findeth 
him  the  weaker ; 

To-morrow,  promiseth  conscience ; and  behold,  no  to-day  for 
a fulfilment. 




202  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

0 name  of  happy  omen  unto  youth,  O bitter  word  of  terror 

to  the  dotard, 

Goal  of  folly’s  lazy  wish,  and  sorrow’s  ever-coming  friend, 

Fraud’s  loophole, — caution’s  hint, — and  trap  to  catch  the 
honest, — 

Thou  wealth  to  many  poor,  disgrace  to  many  noble, 

Thou  hope  and  fear,  thou  weal  and  woe,  thou  remedy,  thou 
ruin, 

How  thickly  swarms  of  thought  are  clustering  round  To- 
morrow. 

The  hive  of  memory  increaseth,  to  every  day  its  cell ; 

There  is  the  labor  stored,  the  honey  or  corruption ; 

Each  morn  the  bees  fly  forth,  to  fill  the  growing  comb, 

And  levy  golden  tribute  of  the  uncomplaining  flowers : 

To-morrow  is  their  care  ; they  toil  for  rest  To-morrow  ; 

But  man  deferreth  duty’s  task,  and  loveth  ease  to-day. 

To-morrow  is  that  lamp  upon  the  marsh,  which  a traveller 
never  reacheth ; 

To-morrow,  the  rainbow’s  cup,  coveted  prize  of  ignorance ; 

To-morrow,  the  shifting  anchorage,  dangerous  trust  of 
mariners ; 

To-morrow,  the  wrecker’s  beacon,  wily  snare  of  the  de- 
stroyer. 

Reconcile  conviction  with  delay,  and  To-morrow  is  a fatal  lie ; 

Frighten  resolutions  into  action,  To-morrow  is  a wholesome 
truth : 

1 must,  for  I fear  To-morrow ; this  is  the  Cassava’s  food ; 

Why  should  1 7 let  me  trust  To-morrow, — this  is  the  Cas- 
sava’s poison. 

Lo,  it  is  the  even  of  To-day, — a day  so  lately  a To-morrow ; 

Where  are  those  high  resolves,  those  hopes  of  yesternight  ? 

O faint  fond  heart,  still  shall  thy  whisper  be,  To-morrow, 

And  must  the  growing  avalanche  of  sin  roll  down  that  easy 
slope? 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  TO-MORROW. 


203 


Alas,  it  is  ponderous,  and  moving  on  in  might,  that  a Sisyphus 
may  not  stop  it ; 

But  haste  thee  with  the  lever  of  a prayer,  and  stem  its  strength 
To-day : 

For  its  race  may  speedily  be  run,  and  this  poor  hut,  thyself, 

Be  whelmed  in  death  and  suffocating  guilt,  that  dreary  Alpine 
snow  wreath. 

Pensioner  of  life,  be  wise,  and  heed  a brother’s  counsel, 

I also  am  a beadsman,  with  scrip  and  staff  as  thou  : 

Wouldest  thou  be  bold  against  the  past,  and  all  its  evil 
memories, 

Wouldest  thou  be  safe  amid  the  present,  its  dangers  aud 
temptations, 

Wouldest  thou  be  hopeful  of  the  future,  vague  though  it  be 
and  endless  ? 

Haste  thee,  repent,  believe,  obey!  thou  standest  in  the  cou- 
rage of  a legion : 

Commend  the  Past  to  God,  with  all  its  irrevocable  harm, 

Humbly,  but  in  cheerful  trust,  and  banish  vain  regrets; 

Come  to  him,  continually  come,  casting  all  the  Present  at  his 
feet, 

Boldly,  but  in  prayerful  love,  and  fling  off  selfish  cares  ; 

Commit  the  Future  to  his  will,  the  viewless  fated  Future; 

Zealously  go  forward  with  integrity,  and  God  will  bless  thy 
faith. 

For  that,  feeble  as  thou  art,  there  is  with  thee  a mighty  Con- 
queror, 

Thy  friend,  the  same  for  ever,  yesterday,  to-day,  and  to-mor- 
row ; 

That  friend,  changeless  as  eternity,  himself  shall  make  thee 
friends 

Of  those  thy  foes  transformed,  yesterday,  to-day  and  to- 
morrow. 


304  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


OF  AUTHORSHIP 

Great  is  the  dignity  of  Authorship:  I magnify  mine  office; 

Albeit  in  much  feebleness  I hold  it  thus  unworthily. 

For  it  is  to  be  one  of  a noble  band,  the  welfare  of  the  world, 

Whose  haunt  is  on  the  lips  of  men,  whose  dwelling  in  their 
hearts, 

Who  are  precious  in  the  retrospect  of  Memory,  and  walk 
among  the  visions  of  Hope, 

Who  commune  with  the  good  for  everlasting,  and  call  the 
wisest,  brother, 

Whose  voice  hath  burst  the  Silence,  and  whose  light  is  flung 
upon  the  Darkness, 

— Flashing  jewels  on  a robe  of  black,  and  harmony  bounding 
out  of  chaos, — 

Who  gladden  empires  with  their  wisdom,  and  bless  to  the 
furthest  generation, 

Doers  of  illimitable  good,  gainers  of  inestimable  glory ! 

We  speak  but  of  tbe  Magnates,  we  heed  none  humbler  than 
the  highest, 

We  take  no  count  of  sorry  scribes,  nor  waste  one  thought 
upon  the  groundlings ; 

Our  eyes  are  lifted  from  the  multitude,  groping  in  the  dark 
with  candles, 

To  gaze  upon  that  firmament  of  praise,  the  constellated  lamps 
of  learning. 

Everduring  witnesses  of  Mind,  undisputed  evidence  of  Power, 

Goodly  volumes,  living  stones,  build  up  their  author’s  temple ; 

Though  of  low  estate,  his  rank  is  above  princes, — though 
needy,  he  hath  worship  of  the  rich, 

When  Genius  unfurleth  on  the  winds  his  banner  as  a mighty 
leader. 

Just  in  purpose,  and  self-possessed  in  soul,  lord  of  many  ta- 
lents, 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  AUTHORSHIP. 


205 


The  mental  Croesus  goeth  forth,  rejoicing  in  his  wealth ; 

Keen  and  clear  perception  gloweth  on  his  forehead  like  a 
sunbeam, 

He  readeth  men  at  a glance,  and  mists  roll  away  before  him  ; 

The  wise  have  set  him  as  their  captain,  the  foolish  are  re- 
buked at  his  presence, 

The  excellent  bless  him  with  their  prayers,  and  the  wicked 
praise  him  by  their  curses  ; 

His  voice,  mighty  in  operation,  stirreth  up  the  world  as  a 
trumpet, 

And  kings  account  it  honor  to  be  numbered  of  his  friends. 

Rare  is  the  worthiness  of  Authorship  : I justify  mine  office ; 

Albeit  fancies  weak  as  mine  credit  not  the  calling. 

For  it  addeth  immortality  to  dying  facts,  that  are  ready  to 
vanish  away, 

Embalming  as  in  amber  the  poor  insects  of  an  hour ; 

Shedding  upon  stocks  and  stones  the  tender  light  of  interest, 

And  illumining  dark  places  of  the  earth,  with  radiance  of 
classic  lustre. 

It  hath  power  to  make  past  things  present,  and  availeth  for 
the  present  in  the  future, 

Delivering  thoughts,  and  words,  and  deeds,  from  the  outer 
darkness  of  oblivion : 

Where  are  the  sages  and  the  heroes,  giants  of  old  time  ? — 

Where  are  the  mighty  kings  that  reigned  before  Agamem- 
non ? — 

Alas,  they  lie  unwept,  unhonored,  hidden  in  the  midnight : 

Alas,  for  they  died  unchronicled : their  memorial  perished 
with  them. 

Where  are  the  nobles  of  Nineveh,  and  mitred  rtllers  of  Ba- 
bylon ? 

Where  are  the  lords  of  Edom,  and  the  royal  pontiffs  of  The  • 
bais  ? 

The  golden  Satrap,  and  the  Tetrarch, — the  Hun,  and  the 
Druid,  and  the  Celt? 

18 


206  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

The  merchant  princes  of  Phoenicia,  and  the  minds  that  fash- 
ioned Elephanta  'l 

Alas,  for  the  poet  hath  forgotten  them ; and  lo  ! they  are  out- 
casts of  Memory ; 

Alas  that  they  are  withered  leaves,  sapless  and  fallen  from 
the  chaplet  of  fame. 

Speak,  Etruria,  whose  bones  be  these,  entombed  with  costly 
care, — 

Tell  out,  Herculaneum,  the  titles  that  have  sounded  in  those 
thy  palaces, — 

Lycian  Xanthus,  thy  citadels  are  mute,  and  the  honor  of 
their  architects  hath  died ; 

Copan  and  Palenque,  dreamy  ruins  in  the  West,  the  forest 
hath  swallowed  up  your  sculptures ; (5) 

Syracuse, — how  silent  of  the  past ! — Carthage,  thou  art  blot- 
ted from  remembrance  ! 

Egypt,  wondrous  shores,  ye  are  buried  in  the  sandhills  of 
forgetfulness ! 

Alas, — for  in  your  glorious  youth,  Time  himself  was  young, 

And  none  durst  wrestle  with  that  Angel,  iron-sinewed  bride- 
groom of  Space ; 

So  he  flew  by,  strong  upon  the  wing,  nor  dropped  one  failing 
feather, 

Wherewith  some  hoary  scribe  might  register  their  honor  and 
renown. 

Beyond  the  broad  Atlantic,  in  the  regions  of  the  setting  sun, 

Ask  of  the  plume-crowned  Incas,  that  ruled  in  old  Peru, — 

Ask  of  grand  Caziques,  and  priests  of  the  pyramids  in  Mex- 
ico,— 

Ask  of  a thousand  painted  tribes,  high  nobility  of  Nature, 

Who,  once,  could  roam  their  own  Elysian  plains,  free,  gene- 
rous, and  happy, 

Who,  now,  degraded  and  in  exile,  having  sold  their  father- 
land  for  naught, 

Sink  and  are  extinguished  in  the  western  seas,  even  as  the 
sun  they  follow, — 


OF  AUTHORSHIP. 


8ERIES  II. J 


207 


Where  is  the  record  of  their  deeds,  their  prowess  worthy  of 
Achilles, 

Nestor’s  wisdom,  the  chivalry  of  Manlius,  the  native  elo- 
quence of  Cicero, 

The  skill  of  Xenophon,  the  spirit  of  Alcib*ades,  the  firmness 
of  a Maccabaean  mother, 

Brotherly  love  that  Antigone  might  envy,  the  honor  and  the 
fortitude  of  Regulus  ? 

Alas  ! their  glory  and  their  praise  have  vanished  like  a sum- 
mer cloud : 

Alas  ! that  they  are  dead  indeed  ; they  are  not  written  down 
in  the  Book  of  the  living. 


High  is  the  privilege  of  Authorship : I purify  mine  office ; 

Albeit  earthly  stains  pollute  it  in  my  hands. 

For  it  is  to  the  world  a teacher  and  a guide,  Mentor  of  that 
gay  Telemachus  ; 

Warning,  comforting,  and  helping,— a lover  and  friend  of 
Man. 

Heaven’s  almoner,  Earth’s  health,  patient  minister  of  good- 
ness, 

With  kind  and  zealous  pen,  the  wise  religious  blesseth : 

Nature’s  worshipper,  and  neophyte  of  grace,  rich  in  tender 
sympathies, 

With  kindled  soul  and  flashing  eye  the  poet  poureth  out  his 
heartful : 

Priest  of  truth,  champion  of  innocence,  warder  of  the  gates 
of  praise, 

Carefully  with  sifting  search  laboreth  the  pale  historian : 

Error’s  enemy  and  acolyte  of  science,  firm  in  sober  argument, 

The  calm  philosopher  marshalleth  his  facts,  noting  on  his 
page  their  principles. 

These  pour  mercies  upon  men ; and  others  little  less  in 
honor, 

By  cheerful  wit  and  graphic  tale,  refreshening  the  harassed 
spirit. 


208  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

But,  there  be  other  some  beside,  buyers  and  sellers  in  the 
temple, 

Who  shame  their  high  vocation,  greedy  of  inglorious  gain ; 

There  be,  who,  fabricating  books,  heed  of  them  meanly  as 
of  merchandise; 

And  seek  nor  use,  nor  truth,  nor  fame,  but  sell  their  minds 
for  lucre ; 

O false  brethren ! ye  wot  indeed  the  labor,  but  are  witless 
of  the  love ; 

O lying  prophets,  chilled  in  soul,  nnquickened  by  the  life 
of  inspiration ! — 

And  there  be,  who,  frivolous  and  vain,  seek  to  make  others 
foolish, 

Snaring  Youth  by  loose  sweet  song,  and  Age  by  selfish 
maxim ; 

Cleverly  heartless,  and  wittily  profane,  they  swell  the  river 
of  corruption : 

Brilliant  satellites  of  sin, — my  soul  be  not  found  among  their 
company. 

And  there  be  who,  haters  of  religion,  toil  to  prove  it  priest- 
craft, 

Owning  none  other  aim  nor  hope,  but  to  confound  the  good : 

Woe  unto  them ! for  their  works  shall  live  ; yea  to  their 
utter  condemnation ; 

Woe ! for  their  own  handwriting  shall  testify  against  them 
for  ever. 

Pure  is  the  happiness  of  Authorship : 1 glorify  mine  office ; 

Albeit  lightly  having  sipped  the  cup  of  its  lower  pleasures. 

For  it  is  to  feel  with  a father’s  heart,  when  he  yearneth  on 
the  child  of  his  affections  ; 

To  rejoice  in  a man’s  own  miniature  world,  gladdened  by  its 
rare  arrangement. 

The  poem,  is  it  not  a fabric  of  mind  1 we  love  what  we  create : 

That  choice  and  musical  order, — how  pleasant  is  the  toil  of 
composition ! 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  AUTHORSHIP. 


209 


Yea,  when  the  volume  of  the  universe  was  blazoned  out  in 
beauty  by  its  Author, 

God  was  glad,  and  blessed  his  work ; for  it  was  very  good. 

And  shall  not  the  image  of  his  Maker  be  happy  in  his  own 
mind’s  doing, 

Looking  on  the  structure  he  hath  reared,  gratefully  with 
sweet  complacence  1 

Shall  not  the  Minerva  of  his  brain,  panoplied  and  perfect  in 
proportions, 

Gladden  the  soul  and  give  light  unto  the  eyes  of  him  the 
travailing  parent  1 

Go  to  the  sculptor  and  ask  him  of  his  dreams,  wherefore  are 
his  nights  so  moonlit  1 

Angel  faces,  and  beautiful  shapes,  fascinate  the  pale  Pygma- 
lion : 

Go  to  the  painter  and  trace  his  reveries, — wherefore  are  his 
days  so  sunny  1 

Choice  design  and  skilful  coloring  charm  the  flitting  hours  of 
Parrhasius  : 

Even  so,  walking  in  his  buoyancy,  intoxicate  with  fairy 
fancies, 

The  young  enthusiast  of  authorship  goeth  on  his  way  re- 
joicing : 

Behold,— he  is  gallantly  attended ; legions  of  thrilling 
thoughts 

Throng  about  the  standard  of  his  mind,  and  call  his  Will 
their  captain ; 

Behold, — his  court  is  as  a monarch’s ; ideas,  and  grand 
imaginations 

Swell,  with  gorgeous  cavalcade,  the  splendour  of  his  Spirit- 
ual State  ; 

Behold, — he  is  delicately  served  ; for  oftentimes,  in  solitary 
calmness, 

Some  mental  fair  Egeria  smileth  on  her  Numa’s  worship ; 

Behold, — he  is  happy  ; there  is  gladness  in  his  eye,  and  his 
heart  is  a sealed  fountain, 

18* 


210  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Bounding  secretly  with,  joys  unseen,  and  keeping  down  its 
ecstasy  of  pleasure ! 

Yea  ; how  dignified,  and  worthy,  full  of  privilege  and  hap- 
piness, 

Standeth  in  majestic  independence  the  self-ennobled  Author ! 

For  God  hath  blessed  him  with  a mind,  and  cherished  it  in 
tenderness  and  purity, 

Hath  taught  it  in  the  whisperings  of  wisdom,  and  added  all 
the  riches  of  content : 

Therefore,  leaning  on  his  God,  a pensioner  for  soul  and  body, 

His  spirit  is  the  subject  of  none  other,  calling  no  man  Mas- 
ter. 

His  hopes  are  mighty  and  eternal,  scorning  small  ambitions : 

He  hideth  from  the  pettiness  of  praise,  and  pitieth  the  feeble- 
ness of  envy. 

If  he  meet  honors,  well ; it  may  be  his  humility  to  take 
them : 

If  he  be  rebuked,  better ; his  veriest  enemy  shall  teach  him. 

For  the  master-mind  hath  a birthright  of  eminence  : his  cra- 
dle is  an  eagle’s  eyrie : 

Need  but  to  wait  till  his  wings  are  grown,  and  genius  soareth 
to  the  sun: 

To’ creeping  things  upon  the  mountain  leaveth  he  the  gra  dual 
ascent, 

Resting  his  swiftness  on  the  summit  only  for  a higher  flight. 

Glad  in  clear  good  conscience,  lightly  doth  he  look  for  com- 
mendation ; 

What,  if  the  prophet  lacketh  honor  1 for  he  can  spare  that 
praise : 

The  honest  giant  careth  not  to  be  patted  on  the  back  by  pig- 
mies : 

Flatter  greatness,  he  brooketh  it  good-humoredly:  blame 
him, — thou  tiltest  at  a pyramid  : 

Yet,  just  censure  of  the  good  never  can  he  hear  without  con- 
trition ; 


OF  AUTHORSHIP 


SERIES  II. J 


211 


Neither  would  he  miss  one  wise  man’s  praise,  for  scarce  is 
that  jewel  and  costly. 

Only  for  the  herd  of  common  minds,  and  the  vulgar  trumpet- 
ings  of  fame, 

If  aught  he  heedeth  in  the  matter,  his  honor  is  sought  in 
their  neglect. 

Slender  is  the  marvel,  and  little  is  the  glory,  when  round  his 
luscious  fruits 

The  worm  and  the  wasp  and  the  multitude  of  flies  are 
gathered  as  to  banquet ; 

Fashion’s  freak,  and  the  critical  sting,  and  the  flood  of  flat- 
teries, he  scorneth ; 

Cheerfully  asking  of  the  crowd  the  favor  to  forget  him : 

The  while  his  blooming  fruits  ripen  in  richer  fragrance, 

A feast  for  the  few, — and  the  many  yet  unborn, — who  still 
shall  love  their  savor. 


So,  then,  humbly  with  his  God,  and  proudly  independent  of 
his  fellows, 

Walketh,  in  pleasures  multitudinous,  the  man  ennobled  by 
his  pen : 

He  hath  built  up,  glorious  architect,  a monument  more  dura- 
ble than  brass, 

His  children’s  children  shall  talk  of  him  in  love,  and  teach 
their  sons  his  honor : 

His  dignity  hath  set  him  among  princes,  the  universe  is 
debtor  to  his  worth, 

His  privilege  is  blessing  for  ever,  his  happiness  shineth  now, 

For  he  standeth  of  that  grand  Election,  each  man  one  among 
a thousand, 

Whose  sound  is  gone  out  into  all  lands,  and  their  words  to 
the  end  of  the  world ! 


212  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


OF  MYSTERY. 

All  things  being  are  in  mystery ; we  expound  mysteries  by 
mysteries ; 

And  yet  the  secret  of  them  all  is  one  in  simple  grandeur: 

All  intricate,  yet  each  path  plain,  to  those  who  know  the 
way; 

All  unapproachable,  yet  easy  of  access,  to  them  that  hold  the 
key ; 

We  walk  among  labyrinths  of  wonder,  but  thread  the  mazes 
with  a clue  ; 

We  sail  in  chartless  seas,  but  behold ! the  pole-star  is  above 
us. 

For,  counting  down  from  God’s  good-will,  thou  meltest  every 
riddle  into  him, 

The  axiom  of  reason  is  an  undiscovered  God,  and  all  things 
live  in  his  ubiquity  ; 

There  is  only  one  great  secret ; but  that  one  hideth  every- 
where ; 

How  should  the  infinite  be  understood  in  Time,  when  it 
stretcheth  on  ungrasped  for  ever ; 

Can  a halting  CEdipus  of  earth  guess  that  enigma  of  the  uni- 
verse 1 

Not  one ; the  sword  of  faith  must  cut  the  Gordian  knot  of 
Nature. 

God,  pervading  all,  is  in  all  things  the  mystery  of  each  ; 

The  wherefore  of  its  character  and  essence,  the  fountain  of 
its  virtues  and  its  beauties. 

The  child  asketh  of  its  mother,— Wherefore  is  the  violet  so 
sweet  1 

The  mother  answereth  her  babe, — Darling,  God  hath  willed  it. 

And  sages,  diving  into  science,  have  but  a profundity  of 
words, 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  MYSTERY. 


213 


They  tr  ick  for  some  new  links  the  circling  chain  of  conse- 
quence, 

And  then,  after  doubts  and  disputations,  are  left  where  they 
began, 

At  the  bald  conclusion  of  a clown,  things  are  because  they 
are. 

Wherefore  are  the  meadows  green,  is  it  not  to  gratify  the  eye  ? 

But  why  should  greenness  charm  the  eye?  such  is  God’s 
good  will 

Wherefore  is  the  ear  attuned  to  a pleasure  in  musical  sounds, 

And  who  set  a number  to  those  sounds,  and  fixed  the  laws 
of  harmony  ? 

Who  taught  the  bird  to  build  its  nest,  or  lent  the  shrub  its 
life, 

Or  poised  in  the  balances  of  order  the  power  to  attract  and  to 
repel  ? 

Who  continueth  the  worlds,  and  the  sea,  and  the  heart  in 
motion  ? 

Who  commanded  gravitation  to  tie  down  all  upon  its 
sphere  ? — 

For  even  as  a limestone  cliff  is  an  aggregate  of  countless 
shells, 

One  riddle  concrete  of  many,  a mystery  compact  of  mysteries, 

So  God,  eioudcapped  in  immensity,  standeth  the  cohesion  of 
all  things, 

And  secrets,  sublimely  indistinct,  permeate  that  Universe, 
Himself: 

As  is  the  whole,  so  are  the  parts,  whether  they  be  mighty  or 
minute, 

The  sun  is  not  more  unexplained  than  the  tissue  of  an  em- 
met’s wing. 

Thus  then,  omnipresent  Deity  worketh  his  unbiassed  mind, 

A mind,  one  in  moral,  but  infinitely  multiplied  in  means  : 

And  the  uniform  prudence  of  his  will  cometh  to  be  counted 
law, 


214  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii 

Till  mutable  man  fancxeth  volition,  stirring  in  the  potter’s 
clay : 

God,  a wise  father,  showeth  not  his  reasons  to  his  babes ; 

But  willeth  in  secresy  and  goodness ; for  causes  generate 
dispute : 

Then  we,  his  darkling  children,  watch  that  invariable  pur- 
pose, 

And  invest  the  passive  creature  with  its  Maker’s  energy  and 
skill. 

Therefore,  they  of  old  time  stopped  short  of  God  in  idols, 

Therefore,  in  these  latter  days,  we  heed  not  the  Jehovah  in 
his  works. 

Mystery  is  God’s  great  name ; He  is  the  mystery  of  goodness : 

Some  other,  from  the  hierarchs  of  heaven,  usurped  the  mys- 
tery of  sin. 

God  is  the  King,  yea  even  of  himself ; he  crowned  himself 
with  holiness ; 

The  burning  circlet  of  iniquity  another  found  and  wore. 

God  is  separate,  even  from  his  attributes ; but  he  willed  eter- 
nally the  good ; 

Therefore  freely,  though  unchangeably,  is  wise,  righteous, 
and  loving : 

But  ambition,  open  unto  angels,  saw  the  evil,  flung  aside 
from  everlasting, 

It  was  Lucifer- that  saw,  and  nothing  loathed  those  black  un- 
claimed regalia, 

So  he  coveted  and  stole,  to  be  counted  for  a king,  antagonist 
of  God, 

But  when  he  touched  the  leprous  robes,  behold,  a cheated 
traitor. 

For  self-existence,  charactered  with  love,  with  power,  wis- 
dom, and  ubiquity, 

Could  not  dwell  alone,  but  willed  and  worked  creation. 

Thus,  in  continual  exhalation,  darkening  the  void  with  mat- 
ter, 


OF  MYSTERY. 


215 


SERIES  II. J 

Sprang  from  prolific  Deity  the  creatures  of  his  skill ; 

And  beings,  living  on  his  breath,  were  needfully  less  perfect 
than  himself, 

Therefore  less  capable  of  bliss,  whereat  his  benevolence  was 
bounded : 

So  to  make  the  capability  expand,  intensely  progressive  to 
eternity, 

He  suffered  darkness  to  illustrate  the  light,  and  pain  to  height- 
en pleasure. 

To  heap  up  happiness  on  souls  he  loved,  allowed  he  sin  and 
sorrow, 

And  then  to  guilt  and  grief  and  shame,  he  brought  unbidden 
amnesty : 

Sinless,  none  had  been  redeemed,  nor  wrapt  again  in  God : 
Sorrowless,  no  conflict  had  been  known,  and  Heaven  had 
been  mulcted  of  its  comfort : 

Yea,  with  evil  unexhibited,  probationary  toils  unfelt, 

Men  had  not  appreciated  good,  nor  angels  valued  their  se- 
curity. 

Herein,  to  reason’s  eye,  is  revealed  the  mystery  of  goodness, 
Blessing  through  permitted  woe,  and  teaching  by  the  mystery 
of  sin. 

O Christian,  whose  chastened  curiosity  loveth  thing  * mys- 
terious, 

Accounting  them  shadows  and  eclipses  of  Him  the  one  great 
light, 

Look  now,  satisfied  with  faith,  on  minds  that  judge  by  sense, 
And  dull  from  contemplating  matter,  take  sm  »I1  heed  of  spirit. 
Toiling  feebly  upward,  their  argument  tracketh  from  below, 
They  catch  the  latest  consequent,  and  prove  the  nearest 
cause : 

What  is  this?  that  a seed  produced  a seed,  and  so  for  a 
thousand  seasons : 

Ascend  a thousand  steps,  thy  ladder  leaveth  thee  in  air: 
Thou  canst  not  climb  to  God,  and  short  of  Him  is  nothing; 


216  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

There  is  no  cau^e  for  aught  we  see,  hut  in  his  present  will. 

Begin  from  the  Maker  thou  earnest  down  his  attributes  to 
reptiles, 

The  sharded  beetle  and  the  lizard  live  and  move  in  Him : 

Begin  from  the  creature,  corruption  and  infirmity  mar  thy 
foolish  toil, 

Heap  Ossa  on  Olympus,— how  much  art  thou  nearer  to  the 
stars  ? 

It  is  easy  running  from  a mountain’s  top  down  to  the  valleys 
at  its  foot, 

But  difficult  and  steep  the  laborious  ascent,  and  feebly  shalt 
thou  reach  it; 

Yet  man,  beginning  from  himself,  that  first  deluding  mystery, 

Hopeth  from  the  pit  of  lies  to  struggle  up  to  truth  ; 

So,  taxing  knowledge  to  its  strength,  he  pusheth  one  step 
further, 

And  fancieth  complacently  that  much  is  done  by  reaching  a 
remote  effect : 

Then  he  maketh  answer  to  himself,  as  a silly  nurse  to  her 
little  one, 

Evading,  in  a mist  of  words,  hard  things  he  cannot  solve  ; 

Till,  like  an  ostrich  in  the  desert,  he  burieth  his  head  in 
atoms, 

Hoping  that,  if  he  is  blind,  no  sun  can  shine  in  heaven. 

Therefore  cometh  it  to  pass,  that  an  atheist  is  ever  the 
most  credulous, 

Snatching  at  any  foolish  cause,  that  may  dispel  his  doubts  ; 

And,  even  as  it  were  for  ridicule,  a spectacle  to  men  and  an- 
gels, 

The  captious  and  cautious  unbeliever  is  of  all  men  weakest 
to  believe : 

* Cut  from  the  anchorage  of  God,  his  bark  is  a plaything  of 
the  billows ; 

The  compass  of  his  principle  is  broken,  the  rudder  of  his 
faith  unshipped : 


series  ii.]  OF  MYSTERY.  217 

Chance  and  Fate,  in  a stultified  antagonism,  govern  all  for 
him ; 

Truth  sprang  from  the  conflict  of  falsities,  and  the  multitude 
of  accidents  hath  bred  design ! 

Where  is  the  imposture  so  gross  that  shall  not  entrap  his 
curiosity  1 

What  superstition  is  so  abject  that  it  doth  not  blanch  his 
cheek  1 

Whereof  can  he  be  sure,  with  whom  Chaos  is  substitute  for 
order  1 

How  should  his  silly  structure  stand,  a pyramid  built  upon 
its  apex  1 

Yea,  I have  seen  grey-headed  men,  the  bastard  slips  of  sci- 
ence, 

Go  for  light  to  glowworms,  while  they  scorn  the  sun  at 
noon ; 

Men,  who  fear  no  God,  trembling  at  a gipsy’s  curse, 

Men,  who  jest  at  revelation,  clinging  to  a madman’s  pro- 
phecy ! 

There  is  a pleasing  dread  in  the  fashion  of  all  mysteries, 

For  hope  is  mixed  therein  and  fear ; who  shall  divine  their 
issues  1 

Even  the  orphan,  wandering  by  night,  lost  on  dreary  moors, 

Is  sensible  of  some  vague  bliss  amidst  his  shapeless  terrors ; 

The  buoyancy  of  instant  expectation,  spurring  on  the  mind  to 
venture, 

Overbeareth,  in  its  energy,  the  cramp  and  the  chill  of  appre- 
hension. 

There  is  a solitary  pride,  when  the  heart,  in  new  importance, 

Writeth  gladly  on  its  archives,  the  secrets  none  other  men 
have  seen ; 

And  there  is  a caged  terror,  evermore  wrestling  with  the 
mind, 

When  crime  hath  whispered  his  confession,  and  the  secrets 
are  written  there  in  blood : 

19 


218  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

The  village  maiden  is  elated  at  a tenderly  confided  tale ; 

The  bandit’s  wife  with  sickening  fear  guessed  the  premedi- 
tated murder ; 

The  sage,  with  triumph  on  his  brow,  hideth  up  his  deep  dis- 
covery ; 

The  idlest  clown  shall  delve  all  day  to  find  a hidden  treasure. 

For  mystery  is  man’s  life  ; we  wake  to  the  whisperings  of 
novelty : 

And  what,  though  we  lie  down  disappointed  1 we  sleep,  to 
wake  m hope. 

The  letter,  or  the  news,  tne  chances  and  the  changes,  mat- 
ters that  may  happen, 

Sweeten  or  embitter  daily  life  with  the  honey-gall  of  mys- 
tery. 

For  we  walk  blindfold, — and  a minute  may  be  much, — a step 
may  reach  the  precipice  ; 

What  earthly  loss,  what  heavenly  gain,  may  not  this  day 
produce  1 

Levelled  of  Alps  and  Andes,  without  its  valleys  and  ravines, 

How  dull  the  face  of  earth,  unfeatured  of  both  beauty  and 
sublimity : 

And  so,  shorn  of  mystery,  beggared  in  its  hopes  and  fears, 

How  flat  the  prospect  of  existence,  mapped  by  intuitive  fore- 
knowledge. 

Praise  God,  creature  of  earth,  for  the  mercies  linked  with 
secresy, 

That  spices  of  uncertainty  enrich  thy  cup  of  life  : 

Praise  God,  his  hosts  on  high,  for  the  mysteries  that  make 
all  Joy ; 

What  were  intelligence,  with  nothing  more  to  learn,  or 
heaven,  in  eternity  of  sameness  I 

To  number  every  mystery  were  to  sum  the  sum  of  all  things : 

None  can  exhaust  a theme,  whereof  God  is  example  and 
similitude. 


219 


series  II.]  OF  MYSTERY. 

Nevertheless,  take  a garland  from  the  garden,  a handful  from 
the  harvest, 

Some  scattered  drops  of  spray  from  the  ceaseless  mighty 
cataract. 

Whence  are  we, — whither  do  we  tend, — how  do  we  feel  and 
reason  7 

How  strange  a thing  is  man,  a spirit  saturating  clay  ! 

When  doth  soul  make  embryos  immortal, — how  do  they  rank 
hereafter, — 

And  will  the  unconscious  idiot  be  quenched  in  death  as 
nothing  7 

Its  essence  immaterial,  are  these  minds,  as  it  were  thinking 
machines  7 

For,  to  understand  may  but  rightly  be  to  use  a mechanism  all 
possess, 

So  that  in  reading  or  hearing  of  another,  a man  shall  seem 
unto  himself 

To  be  recollecting  images  or  arguments,  native  and  congenial 
to  his  mind : 

And  yet,  what  shall  we  say, — who  can  arede  the  riddle  7 

The  brain  may  be  clockwork,  and  mind  its  spring,  mechanism 
quickened  by  a spirit. 

Who  so  shrewd  as  rightly  to  divide  life,  instinct,  reason ; 

Trees,  zoophytes,  creatures  of  the  plain,  and  savage  men 
among  them  7 

Hath  the  mimosa  instinct, — or  the  scallop  more  than  life, — 

Or  the  dog  less  than  reason, — or  the  brute  man  more  than 
instinct  7 

What  is  the  cause  of  health, — and  the  gendering  of  disease  7 

Why  should  arsenic  kill, — and  whence  is  the  potency  of  an- 
tidotes 7 

Behold,  a morsel, — eat  and  die  ; the  term  of  thy  probation  is 
expired : 

Behold,  a potion, — drink  and  be  alive ; the  limit  of  thy  trial 
is  enlarged. 


220  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Who  tan  expound  beauty  ? or  explain  the  character  of  na- 
tions 1 

Who  will  furnish  a cause  for  the  epidemic  force  of  fashion  1 

Is  there  a moral  magnetism  living  in  the  light  of  example  ? 

Is  practice  electricity  ? — Yet  all  these  are  but  names. 

Doth  normal  Art  imprison,  in  its  works,  spirit  translated  into 
substance, 

So  that  the  statue,  the  picture,  or  the  poem,  are  crystals  of 
the  mind  ? 

And  doth  Philosophy  with  sublimating  skill  shred  away  the 
matter, 

Till  rarified  intelligence  exudeth  even  out  of  stocks  and 
stones  1 

O mysteries,  ye  all  are  one,  the  mind  of  an  inexplicable 
Architect 

Dwelleth  alike  in  each,  quickening  and  moving  in  them 
all. 

Fields,  and  forests,  and  cities  of  men,  their  woes  and  wealth 
and  works, 

And  customs,  and  contrivances  of  life,  with  all  we  see  and 
know, 

For  a little  way,  a little  while,  ye  hang  dependent  on  each 
other, 

But  all  are  held  in  one  right  hand,  and  by  His  will  ye  are. 

Here  is  answer  unto  mystery,  an  unintelligible  God, 

This  is  the  end  and  the  beginning,  it  is  reason  that  He  be 
not  understood. 

Therefore  it  were  probable  and  just,  even  to  a man’s  weak 
thinking, 

To  have  one  for  God  who  always  may  be  learnt,  yet  never 
fully  known, 

That  He,  from  whom  all  mysteries  spring,  in  whom  they  all 
converge, 

Throned  in  his  sublimity  beyond  the  grovellings  of  lower  in- 
tellect, 


OF  GIFTS. 


221 


SERIES  II.J 

Should  claim  to  be  truer  than  man’s  truest,  the  boasted  cer- 
tainty of  numbers, 

Should  baffle  his  arithmetic,  confound  his  demonstrations, 
and  paralyse  the  might  of  his  necessity, 

Standing  supreme  as  the  mystery  of  mysteries,  everywhere, 
yet  impersonate, 

Essential  one  in  three,  essential  three  in  one ! 


OF  GIFTS. 

1 had  a seeming  friend : — I gave  him  gifts  and  he  was  gone  ; 
I had  an  open  enemy : — I gave  him  gifts  and  won  him  : 
Common  friendship  standeth  on  equalities  and  cannot  bear  a 
debt ; 

But  the  very  heart  of  hate  melteth  at  a good  man’s  love : 

Go  to,  then,  thou  that  sayest,  I will  give  and  rivet  the  links : 
For  pride  shall  kick  at  obligation,  and  push  the  giver  from 
him. 

The  covetous  spirit  may  rejoice,  revelling  in  thy  largess, 

But  chilling  selfishness  will  mutter, — I must  give  again  : 

The  vain  heart  may  be  glad,  in  this  new  proof  of  man’s 
esteem, 

But  the  same  idolatry  of  self  abhorreth  thoughts  of  thanking. 

Nevertheless,  give ; for  it  shall  be  a discriminative  test, 
Separating  honesty  from  falsehood,  weeding  insincerity 
from  friendship. 

Give,  it  is  like  God ; thou  weariest  the  bad  with  benefits  : 
Give,  it  is  like  God  ; thou  gladdenest  the  good  by  gratitude. 
Give  to  thy  near  of  kin,  for  Providence  hath  stationed  thee 
his  helper : 

Y et  see  that  he  claim  not  as  his  right,  thy  freewill  offering 
of  duty. 

Give  to  the  young,  they  love  it ; neither  hath  the  poison  of 
suspicion 


19* 


222  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Spoilt  the  flavor  of  their  thanks,  to  look  for  latent  motives. 

Give  to  merit,  largely  give ; his  conscious  heart  will  bless 
thee : 

It  is  not  flattery,  but  love, — the  sympathy  of  men  his  breth- 
ren. 

Give,  for  encouragement  in  good ; the  weak  desponding  mind 

Hath  many  foes,  and  much  to  do,  and  leaneth  on  its  friends. 

Yet  heed  thou  wisely  these ; give  seldom  to  thy  better  ; 

For  such  obtrusive  boon  shall  savor  of  presumption ; 

Or,  if  his  courteous  bearing  greet  thy  proffered  kindness, 

Shall  not  thine  independent  honesty  be  vexed  at  the  sem- 
blance of  a bribe? 

Moreover,  heed  thou  this  ; give  to  thine  equal  charily, 

The  occasion  fair  and  fitting,  the  gift  well  chosen  and  de- 
sired : 

Hath  he  been  prosperous  and  blest  ? a flower  may  show  thy 
gladness ; 

Is  he  in  need  ? with  liberal  love  tender  him  the  well-filled 
purse ; 

Disease  shall  welcome  friendly  care  in  grapes  and  precious 
unguents ; 

And  where  a darling  child  hath  died,  give  praise,  and  hope, 
and  sympathy  : 

Yet  once  more,  heed  thou  this  ; give  to  the  poor  discreetly, 

Nor  suffer  idle  sloth  to  lean  upon  thy  charitable  arm : 

To  diligence  give,  as  to  an  equal,  on  just  and  fit  occasion ; 

Or  he  bartereth  his  hard-earned  self-reliance  for  the  casual 
lottery  of  gifts. 

The  timely  loan  hath  added  nerve,  where  easy  liberality 
would  palsy ; 

Work  and  wages  make  a light  heart : but  the  mendicant  ask- 
ed with  a heavy  spirit. 

A man’s  own  self-respect  is  worth  unto  him  more  than 
money, 

And  evil  is  the  charity  that  humbleth,  and  maketh  man  less 
happy. 


series  ii.]  OF  GIFTS.  223 

There  are  who  sow  liberalities,  to  reap  the  like  again: 

But  men  accept  his  boon,  scorning  the  shallow  usurer : 

I have  known  many  such  a fisherman  lose  his  golden  baits  : 
And  oftentimes  the  tame  decoy  escapeth  with  the  flock. 

Yea,  there  are  who  give  unto  the  poor,  to  gain  large  interest 
of  God: — 

Fool, — to  think  His  wea.th  is  money,  and  not  mind : 

And  haply  after  thine  alms,  thy  calculated  givings, 

The  hurricane  shall  blast  thy  crops,  and  sink  the  homeward 
ship ; 

Then  shall  thy  worldly  soul  murmur  that  the  balances  were 
false, 

Thy  trader’s-mind  shall  think  of  God, — He  stood  not  to  his 
bargain. 

Give,  saith  the  preacher,  be  large  in  liberality,  yield  to  the 
holy  impulse, 

Tarry  not  for  cold  consideration,  but  cheerfully  and  freely 
scatter. 

So,  for  complacency  of  conscience,  in  a gush  of  counterfeited 
charity, 

He  that  hath  not  wherewith  to  be  just,  selfishly  presumeth 
to  be  generous. 

The  debtor,  and  the  rich  by  wrong,  are  known  among  the 
band  of  the  benevolent ; 

And  men  extol  the  noble  hearts,  who  rob  that  they  may  give. 
Receivers  are  but  little  prone  to  challenge  rights  of  giving, 
Nor  stop  to  test,  for  conscience-sake,  the  righteousness  of 
mammon : 

And  the  zealot  in  a cause  is  a receiver,  at  the  hand  which 
bettereth  his  cause  ; 

And  thus  an  unsuspected  bribe  shall  blind  the  good  man’s 
judgment  : 

It  is  easy  to  excuse  greatness,  and  the  rich  are  readily  for- 
given : 


224  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

What,  if  his  gains  were  evil,  sanctified  by  using  them 
aright  7 

O shallow  flatterer,  self-interest  is  thy  thought, 

Hopeless  of  partaking  in  the  like,  thou  too  wouldest  scorn 
the  giver. 

Money  hath  its  value  ; and  the  scatterer  thereof  his  thanks ; 

Few  men,  drinking  at  a rivulet,  stop  to  consider  its  source. 

The  hand  that  closeth  on  an  aim,  be  it  for  necessities  or 
zeal, 

Hath  small  scruple  whence  it  came : Vespasian  rejoiceth  in 
his  tribute ; 

Therefore  have  colleges  and  hospitals  risen  upon  orphans’ 
wrongs, 

Chapels  and  cathedrals  have  thriven  on  the  welcome  wages 
of  iniquity, 

And  fraud,  in  evil  compensation,  hath  salved  his  guilty  con- 
science, 

Not  by  restoring  to  the  cheated,  but  by  ostentatious  giving  to 
the  grateful. 

So,  those  who  reap  rejoice  ; and  reaping,  bless  the  sower : 

No  one  is  eager  to  discover,  where  discovery  tendeth  unto 
loss : 

Yet,  if  knowledge  of  a theft  make  gainers  thereby  guilty, 

Can  he  be  altogether  innocent  who  never  asked  the  honesty 
of  gain? 

Therefore,  O preacher,  zealous  for  charity,  temper  thy  warm 
appeal, — 

Warning  the  debtor  and  unjustly  rich,  they  may  not  dare  to 
give : 

To  do  good  is  a privilege  and  guerdon ; how  shouldest  thou 
rejoice  ? 

If  ill-got  gifts  of  presumptuous  fraud  be  offered  on  the  altar  ? 

The  question  is  not  of  degrees  ; unhallowed  alms  are  evil : 

Discourage  and  reject  alike  the  obolus,  or  talent  of  iniquity. 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  GIFTS. 


225 


Yet  more,  be  careful  that,  unworthily,  thou  gain  not  an 
advantage  over  weakness, 

Unstable  souls,  fervent  and  profuse,  fluttered  by  the  feeling 
of  the  moment ; 

For  eloquence  swayeth  to  its  will  the  feeble  and  the  con- 
scious of  defect : 

Rashly  give  they,  and  afterward  are  sad, — a gift  that  doubly 
erred. 

It  was  the  worldliness  of  priestcraft  that  accounted  alms- 
giving for  charity ; 

And  many  a father’s  penitence  hath  steeped  his  son  in 
penury : • 

Yet,  considered  he  lightly  the  guilt  of  a deathbed  selfishness 

That  strove  to  take  with  him,  for  gain,  the  gold  no  longer  his : 

So  he  died  in  a false  peace,  and  dying  robbed  his  kindred  ; 

The  cunning  friar  at  his  side  having  cheated  both  the  living 
and  the  dead. 

Charity  sitteth  on  a fair  hill-top,  blessing  far  and  near, 

But  her  garments  drop  ambrosia,  chiefly  on  the  violets  around 
her: 

She  gladdeneth  indeed  the  map-like  scene,  stretching  to  the 
verge  of  the  horizon, 

For  her  angel  face  is  lustrous  and  beloved,  even  as  the  moon 
in  heaven. 

Tut  the  light  of  that  beatific  vision  gloweth  in  serener  con- 
centration 

The  nearer  to  her  heart,  and  nearer  to  her  home, — that  hill- 
top where  she  sitteth : 

Therefore  is  she  kind  unto  her  kin,  yearning  in  affection  on 
her  neighbors, 

Giving  gifts  to  those  around  who  know  and  love  her  well. 

But  the  counterfeit  of  charity,  an  hypocrite  of  earth,  not  a 
grace  of  heaven, 

Seeketh  not  to  bless  at  home,  for  her  nearer  aspect  is  ill- 
favored  * 


226  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Therefore  hidethshe  for  shame,  counting  that  pride  humility, 

And  none  of  those  around  her  hearth  are  gladdened  by  her 
gifts : 

Rather,  with  an  overreaching  zeal,  flingeth  she  her  bounty 
to  the  stranger, 

And  scattered  prodigalities  abroad  compensate  for  meanness 
in  her  home : 

For  benefits  showered  on  the  distant  shine  in  unmixed 
beauty, 

So  then  even  she  may  reap  their  undiscerning  praise  : 

Therefore  native  want  hath  pined,  where  foreign  need  was 
fattened ; 

Woman  been  crushed  by  the  tyrannous  hand  that  upheld  the 
flag  of  liberality ; 

Poverty  been  prisoned  up  and  starved  by  hearts  that  are 
maudlin  upon  crime ; 

And  freeborn  babes  been  manacled  by  men  who  liberate  the 
sturdy  slave. 

Policy  counselleth  a gift,  given  wisely  and  in  season, 

And  policy  afterward  approveth  it,  for  great  is  the  influence 
of  gifts. 

The  lover,  unsmiled  upon  before,  is  welcomed  for  his  jewelled 
bauble : 

The  righteous  cause  without  a fee  must  yield  to  bounteous 
guilt : 

How  fair  is  a man  in  thine  esteem  whose  just  discrimination 
seeketh  thee, 

And  so,  discerning  merit,  honoreth  it  with  gifts  ! 

Yea,  let  the  cause  appear  sufficient,  and  the  motive  clear  and 
unsuspicious, 

As  given  unto  one  who  cannot  help,  or  proving  honest 
thanks, 

There  liveth  not  one  among  a million  who  is  proof  against 
the  charm  of  liberality, 

And  flattery,  that  boon  of  praise,  hath  power  with  the  wisest. 


series  11.J  OF  BEAUTY.  227 

Man  is  of  three  natures,  craving  all  for  charity ; 

It  is  not  enough  to  give  him  meats,  withholding  other  comfort ; 

For  the  mind  starveth,  and  the  soul  is  scorned,  and  so  the 
human  animal 

Eateth  its  unsatisfying  pittance,  a thankless,  heartless  pauper  * 

Yet  would  he  bless  thee  and  be  grateful,  didst  thou  feed  his 
spirit, 

And  teach  him  that  thine  almgivings  are  charities,  are  loves : 

— I saw  a beggar  in  the  street,  and  another  beggar  pitied  him ; 

Sympathy  sank  into  his  soul,  and  the  pitied  one  felt  happier : 

Anon  passed  by  a cavalcade,  children  of  wealth  and  gaiety ; 

They  laughed,  and  looked  upon  the  beggar,  and  the  gallants 
flung  him  gold ; 

He,  poor  spirit-humbled  wretch,  gathered  up  their  givings 
with  a curse, 

And  went — to  share  it  with  his  brother,  the  beggar  who  had 
pitied  him ' 


OF  BEAUTY 

Thou  mightier  than  Manoah’s  son,  whence  is  thy  great 
strength, 

And  wherein  the  secret  of  thy  craft,  O charmer  charming 
wisely  7 — 

For  thou  art  strong  in  weakness,  and  in  artlessnoss  well- 
skilled, 

Constant  in  the  multitudes  of  change,  and  simple  anjiflst  in- 
tricate complexity. 

Folly’s  shallow  lip  can  ask  the  deepest  question, 

And  many  wise  in  many  words  should  answer,  what  is 
beauty  ? — 

Who  shall  separate  the  hues  that  flicker  on  a dying  dolphin, 

Or  analyse  the  jewelled  lights  that  deck  the  peucock’s  train, 

Or  shrewdly  mix  upon  a palette  the  tints  of  an  iridescent 
spar, 


228  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  lskries  ii. 

Or  set  in  rank  the  wandering  shades  about  a watered  silk  I 

For  beauty  is  intangible,  vague,  ill  to  be  defined : 

She  hath  the  coat  of  a chameleon,  changing  while  we  watch  it, 

Strangely  woven  is  the  web,  disorderly  yet  harmonious, 

A glistering  robe  of  mingled  mesh,  that  may  not  be  unra- 
velled. 

It  is  shot  with  heaven’s  blue,  the  soul  of  summer  skies, 

And  twisted  strings  of  light,  the  mind  of  noonday  suns. 

And  ruddy  gleams  of  life,  that  roll  along  the  veins, 

A coat  of  many  colors,  running  curiously  together. 

There  is  threefold  beauty  for  man;  twofold  beauty  for  the 
animal ; 

And  the  beauty  of  inanimates  is  single : body,  temper,  spirit. 

Multiplied  in  endless  combination,  issue  the  changeable 
results ; 

Each  class  verging  on  the  other  twain,  with  imperceptible 
gradation ; 

And  every  individual  in  each  having  his  propriety  of  differ- 
ence, 

So  that  the  meanest  of  creation  bringeth  in  a tribute  of  the 
beautiful. 

Yea,  from  the  worst  in  favor  shine th  out  a fitness  of  design, 

The  patent  mark  of  beauty,  its  Maker's  name  imprest. 

For  the  great  Creator’s  seal  is  set  to  all  his  works ; 

Its  quarterings  are  Attributes  of  praise,  and  all  the  shield  is 
beauty. 

So,  that  heraldic  blazon  is  Creation’s  common  signet ; 

And  the  universal  family  of  life  goeth  in  the  colors  of  its 
Lord ; 

But  each  one,  as  a several  son,  shall  bear  those  arms  with  a 
difference : 

Beauty,  various  in  phase,  and  similar  in  seeming  oppositions. 

The  coins  of  old  Rome  were  struck  with  a diversity  for 
each, 

Barely  two  be  found  alike  in  every  Caesar’s  image  : 


series  ii.]  OF  BEAUTY.  229 

So,  note  thou  the  seals,  ranged  around  the  charters  of  the 
Universe, 

The  finger  of  God  is  the  stamp  upon  them  all,  but  each  hath 
its  separate  variety. 

Beauty,  theme  of  innocence,  how  may  guilt  discourse  thee  7 

Let  holy  angels  sing  thy  praise,  for  man  hath  marred  thy 
visage. 

Still,  the  maimed  torso  of  a Theseus  can  gladden  taste  with 
its  proportions ; 

Though  sin  hath  shattered  every  limb,  how  comely  are  the 
fragments ! 

And  music  leaveth  on  the  ear  a memory  of  sweet  sounds ; 

And  broken  arches  charm  the  sight  with  hints  of  fair  com- 
pleteness. 

So,  while  humbled  at  the  ruin,  be  thou  grateful  for  the  relics  ; 

Go  forth,  and  look  on  all  around  with  kind  uncaptious  eye : 

Freely  let  us  wander  through  these  unfrequented  ways, 

And  talk  of  glorious  beauty  filling  all  the  world. 

For  beauty  hideth  everywhere,  that  Reason’s  child  may 
seek  her, 

And  having  found  the  gem  of  price,  may  set  it  in  God’s 
crown. 

Beauty  nestleth  in  the  rosebud,  or  walketh  the  firmament 
with  planets, 

She  is  heard  in  the  beetle’s  evening  hymn,  and  shouteth  in 
the  matins  of  the  sun  ; 

The  cheek  of  the  peach  is  glowing  with  her  smile,  her  splen- 
dor blazeth  in  the  lightning, 

She  is  the  dryad  of  the  woods,  the  naiad  of  the  streams ; 

Her  golden  hair  hath  tapestried  the  silkworm’s  silent  cham- 
ber, 

And  to  her  measured  harmonies  the  wild  waves  beat  in 
time : 

With  twinkling  feet  at  eventide  she  danceth  in  the  meadow, 
20 


230 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 


Or,  like  a Titan,  lieth  stretched  athwart  the  ridgy  Alps  ; 

She  is  rising,  in  her  veil  of  mist,  a Venus  from  the  waters, — 

Men  gaze  upon  the  loveliness, — and  lo,  it  is  beautiful  exceed- 
ingly  ; 

She,  with  the  might  of  a Briareus,  is  dragging  down  the 
clouds  upon  the  mountain, — 

Men  look  upon  the  grandeur, — and  lo,  it  is  excellent  in  glory. 

For  I judge  that  beauty  and  sublimity  be  but  the  lesser  and 
the  great, 

Sublime,  as  magnified  to  giants,  and  beautiful,  diminished 
into  fairies. 

It  were  a false  fancy  to  solve  all  beauty  by  desire, 

It  were  a lowering  thought  to  expound  sublimity  by  dread. 

Cowardly  men  with  trembling  hearts  have  feared  the  furious 
storm, 

Nor  felt  its  thrilling  beauty:  but  is  it  then  not  beautiful? 

And  careless  men,  at  summer’s  eve,  have  loved  the  dimpled 
waves ; 

O that  smile  upon  the  seas, — hath  it  no  sublimity? 

Dost  thou  nothing  know  of  this, — to  be  awed  at  woman’s 
beauty  ? 

Nor,  with  exhilarated  heart,  to  hail  the  crashing  thunder? 

Thou  hast  much  to  learn,  that  never  found  a fearfulness  in 
flowers, 

Thou  hast  missed  of  joy,  that  never  basked  in  beauties  of  the 
terrible. 

Show  me  an  enthusiast  in  aught;  he  hath  noted  one  thing 
narrowly. 

And  lo,  his  keenness  hath  detected  the  one  dear  hiding-place 
of  beauty. 

Then  he  boasteth,  simple  soul,  flattered  by  discovery, 

Fancying  that  no  science  else  can  show  so  fair  and  precious: 

He  hath  found  a ray  of  light,  and  cherisheth  the  treasure  in 

his  closet, 

Mocking  at  those  larger  minds,  that  bathe  in  floods  of  noon  ; 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  BEAUTY. 


231 


Lo,  what  a jewel  hath  he  gotten, — this  is  the  monopolist  of 
beauty, — 

And  lightiy  heeding  all  beside,  he  poured  his  yearnings  thi- 
therward : 

Be  it  for  love,  or  for  learning,  habit,  art,  or  nature, 

Exclusive  thought  is  all  the  cause  of  this  particular  zeal. 

But  the  like  intensity  of  fitness,  kind  and  skilful  beauty, 

So  pleasant  to  his  mind  in  one  thing,  filleth  all  beside  : 

From  the  waking  minute  of  a chrysalis,  to  the  perfect  cycle 
of  chronology, 

From  the  centipede’s  jointed  armor  to  the  mammoth’s  fossil 
ribs, 

From  the  kingfisher’s  shrill  note,  to  the  cataract’s  thundering 

bass, 

From  the  greensward’s  grateful  hues,  to  the  fascinating  eye 
of  woman, 

Beauty,  various  in  all  things,  setteth  up  her  home  in  each, 

Shedding  graciously  around  an  omnipresent  smile. 

There  is  beauty  in  the  rolling  clouds,  and  placid  shingle 
beach, 

In  feathery  snows,  and  whistling  winds,  and  dun  electric 
skies : 

There  is  beauty  in  the  rounded  woods,  dank  with  heavy  fo- 
liage, 

In  laughing  fields,  and  dinted  hills,  the  valley  and  its 
lake : 

There  is  beauty  in  the  gullies,  beauty  on  the  cliffs,  beauty  in 
sun  and  shade, 

In  rocks  and  rivers,  seas  and  plains, — the  earth  is  drowned 
in  beauty. 

Beauty  coileth  with  the  watersnake,  and  is  cradled  in  the 
shrewmouse’s  nest, 

She  flitteth  out  with  evening  bats,  and  the  soft  mole  hid  her 
in  his  tunnel ; 


232 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


The  limpet  is  encamped  upon  the  shore,  and  beauty  not  a 
stranger  to  his  tent: 

The  silvery  dace  and  golden  carp  thread  the  rushes  with 
her : 

She  saileth  into  clouds  with  an  eagle,  she  fluttereth  into 
tulips  with  a humming-bird; 

The  pasturing  kine  are  of  her  company,  and  she  prowleth 
with  the  leopard  in  his  jungle. 

Moreover,  for  the  reasonable  world,  its  words,  and  acts,  and 
speculation, 

For  frail  and  fallen  manhood,  in  his  every  work  and  way, 

Beauty,  wrecked  and  stricken,  Iingereth  still  among  us, 

And  morsels  of  that  shattered  sun  are  dropt  upon  the  dark- 
ness. 

Yea,  with  savages  and  boors,  the  mean,  the  cruel  and  be- 
sotted, 

Ever  in  extenuating  grace  hide  some  relics  of  the  beautiful. 

Gleams  of  kindness,  deeds  of  courage,  patience,  justice,  ge- 
nerosity, 

Truth  welcomed,  knowledge  prized,  rebukes  taken  with  con- 
trition, 

All  in  various  measure,  have  been  blest  with  some  of  these, 

And  never  yet  hath  lived  the  man  utterly  beggared  of  the 
beautiful. 

Beauty  is  as  crystal  in  the  torchlight,  sparkling  on  the  poet’s 
page; 

Virgin  honey  of  Hymettus,  distilled  from  the  lips  of  the  orator ; 

A savor  of  sweet  spikenard,  anointing  the  hands  of  liberality ; 

A feast  of  angels’  food  set  upon  the  tables  of  religion. 

She  is  seen  in  the  tear  of  sorrow,  and  heard  in  .the  exube- 
rance of  mirth. 

She  goeth  out  early  with  the  huntsman,  and  watcheth  at  the 
pillow  of  disease. 

Science  in  his  secret  laws  hath  found  out  latent  beauty, 


series  ii.]  OF  BEAUTY.  233 

Sphere  and  square,  and  cone  and  curve,  are  fashioned  by  her 
rules : 

Mechanism  met  her  in  his  forces,  fancy  caught  her  in  its  flit- 
tings, 

Day  is  lightened  by  her  eyes,  and  her  eyelids  close  upon  the 
night. 

Beauty  is  dependence  in  the  babe,  a toothless  tender  nurs- 
ling; 

Beauty  is  boldness  in  the  boy,  a curly  rosy  truant ; 

Beauty,  is  modesty  and  grace  in  fair  retiring  girlhood, 

Beauty  is  openness  and  strength  in  pure  high-minded  youth ; 

Man,  the  noble  and  intelligent,  gladdeneth  earth  in  beauty, 

And  woman’s  beauty  sunneth  him,  as  with  a smile  from 
heaven. 

There  is  none  enchantment  against  beauty,  Magician  for  all 
time, 

Whose  potent  spells  of  sympathy  have  charmed  the  passive 
world : 

Verily  she  reigneth  a Semiramis ; there  is  no  might  against 
her; 

The  lords  of  every  land  are  harnessed  to  her  triumph. 

Beauty  is  conqueror  of  all,  nor  ever  yet  was  found  among 
the  nations 

That  iron-moulded  mind,  full  proof  against  her  power. 

Beauty,  like  a summer’s  day,  subdueth  by  sweet  influences ; 

Who  can  wrestle  against  Sleep  ? — yet  is  that  giant  very  gen- 
tleness. 

Ajax  may  rout  a phalanx,  but  beauty  shall  enslave  him 
single-handed, 

Pericles  ruled  Athens,  yet  is  he  the  servant  of  Aspasia : 

Light  were  the  labor,  and  oftentold  the  tale,  to  count  the  vic- 
tories of  beauty, — 

20* 


234  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Helen,  and  Judith,  and  Omphale,  and  Thais,  many  a trophied 
name. 

At  a glance  the  misanthrope  was  softened,  and  repented  of 
his  vows, 

When  beauty  asked,  he  gave,  and  banned  her — with  a bless- 
ing; 

The  cold  ascetic  loved  the  smile  that  lit  his  dismal  cell, 

And  kindly  stayed  her  step,  and  wept  when  she  departed ; 

The  bigot  abbess  felt  her  heart  gush  with  a mother’s  feeling, 

When  looking  on  some  lovely  face  beneath  the  cloister’s 
shade ; 

Usury  freed  her  without  ransom : the  buccaneer  was  gentle 
in  her  presence : 

Madness  kissed  her  on  the  cheek,  and  Idiotcy  brightened  at 
her  coming : 

Yea,  the  very  cattle  in  the  field,  and  hungry  prowlers  of  the 
forest, 

With  fawning  homage  greeted  her,  as  beauty  glided  by. 

A welcome  guest  unbidden,  she  is  dear  to  every  hearth  ; 

A glad  spontaneous  growth  of  friends  is  springing  round  her 
rest; 

Learning  sitteth  at  her  feet,  and  Idleness  laboreth  to  please 
her, 

Folly  hath  flung  aside  his  bells,  and  leaden  Dulness  gloweth ; 

Prudence  is  rash  in  her  defence ; Frugality  filleth  her  with 
riches ; 

Despair  came  to  her  for  counsel ; and  Bereavement  was  glad 
when  she  consoled ; 

Justice  putteth  up  his  sword  at  the  tear  of  supplicating 
beauty, 

And  Mercy,  with  indulgent  haste,  hath  pardoned  beauty’s 
sin. 

For  beauty  is  the  substitute  for  all  things,  satisfying  every 
absence, 

The  rich  delirious  cup,  to  make  all  else  forgotten ; 


OF  BEAUTY. 


SERIES  II.] 


235 


She  also  is  the  zest  unto  all  things,  enhancing  every  pre- 
sence, 

The  rare  and  precious  ambergris,  to  quicken  each  perfume. 

O beauty,  thou  art  eloquent ; yea,  though  slow  of  tongue, 
Thy  breast,  fair  Phryne,  pleaded  well  before  the  dazzled 
judge  ; 

O beauty,  thou  art  wise  ; yea,  though  teaching  falsely, 

Sages  listen,  sweet  Corinna,  to  commend  thy  lips ; (6) 

O beauty,  thou  art  ruler ; yea,  though  lowly  as  a slave, 
Myrrha,  that  imperial  brow  is  monarch  of  thy  lord ; 

O beauty,  thou  art  winner ; yet,  though  halting  in  the  race, 
Hippodame,  Camilla,  Atalanta, — in  gracefulness  ye  fascinate 
your  umpires ; 

O beauty,  thou  art  rich ; yea,  though  clad  in  russet, 

Attains  cannot  boast  his  gold  against  the  wealth  of  beauty ; 
O beauty,  thou  art  noble  : yea,  though  Esther  be  an  exile, 
Set  her  up  on  high,  ye  kings,  and  bow  before  the  majesty  of 
beauty : 


Friend  and  scholar,  who,  in  charity,  hast  walked  with  me 
thus  far, 

We  have  wandered  in  a wilderness  of  sweets,  tracking  beau- 
ty’s footsteps : 

And  ever  as  we  rambled  on  among  the  tangled  thicket, 

Many  a startled  thought  hath  tempted  further  roaming ; 

Passions,  sympathetic  influence,  might  of  imaginary  halos, — 

Many  the  like  would  lure  aside,  to  hunt  their  wayward 
themes. 

And,  look  you ! — from  his  ferny  bed  in  yonder  hazel  coppice, 

A dappled  hart  hath  flung  aside  the  boughs  and  broke 
away ; 

He  is  fleet  and  capricious  as  the  zephyr,  and  with  exulting 
bounds 

Hieth  down  a turfy  lane  between  the  sounding  woods ; 

His  neck  is  garlanded  with  flowers,  his  antlers  hung  with 
chaplets, 


236  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  u. 

And  rainbow-colored  ribbons  stream  adown  his  mottled 
flanks : 

Should  we  follow  ? — foolish  hunters,  thus  to  chase  afoot, — 
Who  can  track  the  airy  speed  and  doubling  wiles  of  Taste  1 

For  the  estimates  of  human  beauty,  dependent  upon  time 
and  clime, 

Manifold  and  changeable,  are  multiplied  the  more  by  strange 
gregarious  fashion 

And  notable  ensamples  in  the  great  turn  to  epidemics  in  the 
lower, 

So  that  a nation’s  taste  shall  vary  with  its  rulers. 

Stern  Egypt,  humbled  to  the  Greek,  fancied  softer  idols, 
Greece,  the  Roman  province,  nigh  forgat  her  classic  sculpture, 
Rome,  crushed  beneath  the  Goth,  loved  his  barbarian  habits, 
And  Alaric,  with  his  ruffian  horde,  is  tamed  by  silken 
Rome, 

Columbia’s  flattened  head,  and  China’s  crumpled  feet, — 

The  civilized  tapering  waist, — and  the  pendulous  ears  of  the 
savage, — 

The  swollen  throat  among  the  mountains,  and  an  ebon  skin 
beneath  the  tropics, — 

These  shall  all  be  reckoned  beauty ; and  for  weighty  cause : 
First,  for  the  latter  ; Providence  in  mercy  tempereth  taste  by 
circumstance, 

So  that  Nature’s  must  shall  hit  her  creatures’  liking ; 

Second,  for  the  middle;  though  the  foolishness  of  vanity 
seek  to  mar  proportion, 

Still,  defects  in  those  we  love  shall  soon  be  counted  praise ; 
Third,  for  the  first ; a chief  and  a princess,  maimed  or  dis- 
torted from  the  cradle, 

Shall  coax  the  flattery  of  slaves  to  imitate  the  great  in  their 
deformity ; 

Hence  groweth  habit ; and  habits  make  a taste, 

And  so  shall  servile  zeal  deface  the  types  of  beauty. 

Whiles  Alexander  conquered,  crookedness  was  comely ; 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  BEAUTY. 


237 


And  followers  learn  to  praise  the  scars  upon  their  leader’s  brow. 

Youth  hath  sought  to  flatter  Age  by  mimicking  grey  hairs ; 

Age  plastereth  her  wrinkles,  and  is  painted  in  the  ruddiness 
of  Y outh. 

Fashion,  the  parasite  of  Rank,  apeth  faults  and  failings, 

Until  the  general  Taste  depraved  hath  warped  its  sense  of 
beauty. 

Each  man  hath  a measure  for  himself,  yet  all  shall  coincide 
in  much; 

A perfect  form  of  human  grace  would  captivate  the  world ; 

Be  it  manhood’s  lustre,  or  the  loveliness  of  woman,  all  would 
own  its  beauty, 

The  Caflre  and  Circassian,  Russians  and  Hindoos,  the  Briton, 
the  Turk  and  Japanese. 

Not  all  alike,  nor  all  at  once,  but  each  in  proportion  to  intelli- 
gence, 

His  purer  state  in  morals,  and  a lesser  grade  in  guilt : 

For  the  high-standard  of  the  beautiful  is  fixed  in  Reason’s 
Forum, 

And  sins,  and  customs,  and  caprice,  have  failed  to  break  it 
down : 

And  reason’s  standard  for  the  creature  pointeth  three  perfec- 
tions, 

Frame,  knowledge,  and  the  feeling  heart,  well  and  kindly 
mingled  : 

A fair  dwelling,  furnished  wisely,  with  a gentle  tenant  in  it, — 

This  is  the  glory  of  humanity : thou  hast  seen  it  seldom. 

There  is  a beauty  for  the  body ; the  superficial  polish  of  a 
statue, 

The  symmetry  of  form  and  feature,  delicately  carved  and 
painted. 

How  bright  in  early  bloom  the  Georgian  sitteth  at  her  lattice, 

How  softened  off  in  graceful  curves  her  young  and  gentle 
shape ; 


238 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


Those  dark  eyes,  lit  by  curiosity,  flash  beneath  the  lashes, 
And  still  her  velvet  cheek  is  dimpled  with  a smile. 

Dost  thou  count  her  beautiful  7 — even  as  a mere  fair  figure, 
A plastic  image,  little  more,  the  outer  garb  of  woman: 

Yea, — and  thus  far  it  is  well;  but  Reason’s  hopes  are 
higher, — 

Can  he  sate  his  soul  on  a scantling  third  of  beauty  7 

Yet  is  this  the  pleasing  trickery,  that  cheateth  half  the 
world, 

Nature’s  wise  deceit  to  make  up  waste  in  life  : 

And  few  be  they  that  rest  uncaugiit,  for  many  a twig  is 
iimed ; 

Where  is  the  wise  among  a million,  that  took  not  form  for 
beauty  7 

But  watch  it  well ; for  vanity  and  sin,  malice,  hate,  suspi- 
cion, 

Lowering  as  clouds  upon  the  countenance,  will  disenchant 
its  charms. 

The  needful  complexity  of  beauty  claimeth  mind  and  soul, 
Though  many  coins  of  foul  alloy  pass  current  for  the  true  : 
And  albeit  fairness  in  the  creature  shall  often  co-exist  with 
excellence, 

Yet  hath  many  an  angel  shape  been  tenanted  by  fiends. 

A man,  spiritually  keen,  shall  detect  in  surface  beauty 
Those  marring  specks  of  evil,  which  the  sensual  cannot  see  5 
Therefore  is  he  proof  against  a face,  unlovely  to  his  likings, 
And  common  minds  shall  scorn  the  taste,  that  shrunk  from 
sin’s  distortion. 

There  is  a beauty  of  the  reason:  grandly  independent  of 
externals, 

It  looketh  from  the  windows  of  the  house,  shining  in  the 
man  triumphant. 

I have  seen  the  broad  blank  face  of  some  misshapen  dwarf 
Lit  on  a sudden  as  with  glory,  the  brilliant  light  of  mind : 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  BEAUTY. 


239 


Who  then  imagined  him  deformed  7 intelligence  is  blazing 
or  his  forehead, 

There  is  empire  in  his  eye,  and  sweetness  on  his  lip.,  and  his 
brown  cheek  glittereth  with  beauty* 

And  I have  known  some  Nireus  of  the  camp,  a varnished 
paragon  of  chamberers,(7) 

Fine,  elegant,  and  shapely,  moulded  as  the  master-piece  of 
Phidias, — • 

Such  an  one,  with  intellects  abased,  have  I noted  crouching 
to  the  dwarf, 

Whilst  his  lovers  scorn  the  fool  whose  beauty  hath  departed  ! 

And  there  is  a beauty  for  the  spirit ; mind  in  its  perfect 
flowering. 

Fragrant,  expanded  into  soul,  full  of  love  and  blessed. 

Go  to  some  squalid  couch,  some  famishing  deathbed  of  the 
poor ; 

He  is  shrunken,  cadaverous,  diseased;  there  is  here  no 
beauty  of  the  body  : 

Never  h ith  he  fed  on  knowledge,  nor  drank  at  the  streams 
of  science, 

He  is  of  the  common  herd,  illiterate  ; — there  is  here  no  beauty 
of  the  reason. 

Butlo  ! hn  filming  eye  is  bright  with  love  from  heaven. 

In  every  look  it  beameth  praise,  as  worshipping  with 
seraphs  ; 

What  honeycomb  is  hived  upon  his  lips,  eloquent  of  grati- 
tude and  prayer, — 

What  triumph  shrined  serene  upon  that  clammy  brow, 

What  glory  flickering  transparent  under  those  thin  cheeks, — 

What  beauty  in  his  face  . — Is  it  not  the  face  of  an  angel  7 

Now,  of  these  three,  infinitely  mingled  and  combined 

Gonsisteth  human  beauty,  in  all  the  marvels  of  its  mightiness : 

And  forth  from  human  beauty  springe th  the  intensity  of 
Love ; 


240 


PROVERBIAXj  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


Feeling,  thought,  desire,  the  three  deep  fountains  of  affection. 

Son  of  Adam,  or  daughter  of  Eve,  art  thou  trapped  by  nature, 

And  is  thy  young  eye  dazzled  with  the  pleasant  form  of 
beauty  7 

This  is  but  a lower  love  ; still  it  hath  its  honor  ; 

What  God  hath  made  and  meant  to  charm,  let  not  man  de- 
spise. 

Nevertheless,  as  reason’s  chiW,  look  thou  wisely  further, 

For  age,  disease,  and  care,  and  sin,  shall  tarnish  all  the  sur- 
face ; 

Reach  a loftier  love ; be  lured  by  the  comeliness  of  mind, — 

Gentle,  kind,  and  calm, .or  lustrous  in  the  livery  of  know- 
ledge. 

And  more  there  is  a higher  grade  ; force  the  mind  to  its  per 
fection, — 

Win  those  golden  trophies  of  consummate  love : 

Add  unto  riches  of  the  reason,  and  a beauty  moulded  to  thy 
liking, 

The  precious  things  of  nobler  grace  that  well  adorn  a soul ; 

Thus,  be  thou  owner  of  a treasure,  great  in  earth  and  hea- 
ven, 

Beauty,  wisdom,  goodness, — in  a creature  like  its  God. 

So  then,  draw  we  to  an  end  ; with  feeble  step  and  faltering, 

I follow  beauty  through  the  universe,  and  find  her  home 
Ubiquity: 

In  all  that  God  hath  made,  in  all  that  man  hath  marred, 

Lingereth  beauty  or  its  wreck,  a broken  mould  and  castings. 

And  now,  having  wandered  long  time,  freely  and  with  de- 
sultory feet, 

To  gather  in  the  garden  of  the  world  a few  fair  sample  flow- 
ers, 

With  patient  scrutinizing  care  let  us  cull  the  conclusion  of 
their  essence, 

And  answer  to  the  riddle  of  Zorobabel,  Whence  the  might  of 
beauty'?  (8) 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  BEAUTY. 


241 


Ugliness  is  native  unto  nothing,  but  possible  abstract  evil : 
In  everything  created,  at  its  worst,  lurk  the  dregs  of  loveli- 
ness. 

We  be  fallen  into  utter  depths,  yet  once  we  stood  sublime, 
For  man  was  made  in  perfect  praise,  his  Maker’s  comely 
image  : 

And  so  his  new-born  ill  is  spiced  with  older  good, 

He  carrieth  with  him,  yea,  to  crime,  the  withered  limbs  of 
beauty. 

Passions  may  be  crooked  generosities ; the  robber  stealeth  for 
his  children ; 

Murder  was  avenger  of  the  innocent,  or  wiped  out  shame 
with  blood. 

Many  virtues,  weighted  by  excess,  sink  among  the  vices, 
Many  vices,  amicably  buoyed,  float  among  the  virtues. 

For,  albeit  sin  is  hate,  a foul  and  bitter  turpitude, 

As  hurling  back  against  the  Giver  all  his  gifts  with  insult, 
Still,  when  concrete  in  the  sinner,  it  will  seem  to  partake  of 
his  attractions, 

And  in  seductive  masquerade  shall  cloak  its  leprous  skin ; 

His  broken  lights  of  beauty  shall  illume  its  utter  black, 

And  those  refracted  rays  glitter  on  the  hunch  of  its  deformity. 

Verily  the  fancy  may  be  false,  yet  hath  it  met  me  in  my 
musings 

(As  expounding  the  pleasantness  of  pleasure,  but  no  ways  ex- 
tenuating license), 

That  even  those  yearnings  after  beauty,  in  wayward  wanton 
youth, 

When  guileless  of  ulterior  end,  it  craveth  but  to  look  upon 
the  lovely, 

Seem  like  struggles  of  the  soul,  dimly  remembering  pre-exist- 
ence, 

And  feeling  in  its  blindness  for  a long-lost  god,  to  satisfy  its 
longing ; 

As  if  the  sucking  babe,  tenderly  mindful  of  his  mother, 

21 


242  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  h. 

Should  pull  a dragon’s  dugs,  and  drain  the  teats  of  poison. 

Our  primal  source  was  beauty,  and  we  pant  for  it  ever  and 
again ; 

But  sin  hath  stopped  the  way  with  thorns  ; we  turn  aside, 
wander,  and  are  lost. 

God,  the  undiluted  good,  is  root  and  stock  of  beauty, 

And  every  child  of  reason  drew  his  essence  from  tint  stem. 

Therefore,  it  is  of  intuition,  an  innate  hankering  for  home, 

A sweet  returning  to  the  well,  from  which  our  spirit  flowed, 

That  we,  unconscious  of  a cause,  should  bask  these  darkened 
souls 

In  some  poor  relics  of  the  light  that  blazed  in  primal  beauty, 

And,  even  like  as  exiles  of  idolatry,  should  quaff  from  the 
cisterns  of  creation 

Stagnant  draughts,  for  those  fresh  springs  that  rise  in  the 
Creator. 

Only,  being  burdened  with  the  body,  spiritual  appetite  is 
warped, 

And  sensual  man,  with  taste  corrupted,  drinketh  of  pollu- 
tions ; 

Impulse  is  left,  but  indiscriminate  ; his  hunger  feasleth  upon 
carrion ; 

His  natural  love  of  beauty  doateth  over  beauty  in  decay. 

He  still  thirsteth  for  the  beautiful ; but  his  delicate  ideal 
hath  grown  gross, 

And  the  very  sense  of  thirst  hath  been  fevered  from  affection 
into  passion. 

He  reinembereth  the  blessedness  of  light,  but  it  is  with  an 
old  man’s  memory, 

A blind  old  man  from  infancy,  that  once  hath  seen  the  sun, 

Whom  long  experience  of  night  hath  darkened  in  his  cradle 
recollections, 

Until  his  brightest  thought  of  noon  is  but  a shade  of  black. 

This  then  is  thy  charm,  O beauty,  all  pervading; 


series  ii.]  OF  FAME.  243 

And  this  thy  wondrous  strength,  O beauty,  conqueror  of  all : 

The  outline  of  our  shadowy  best,  the  pure  and  comely  crea- 
ture, 

That  winneth  on  the  conscience  with  a saddening  admira- 
tion : 

And  some  untutored  thirst  for  God,  the  root  of  every  pleasure, 

Native  to  creatures,  yea  in  ruin,  and  dating  from  the  birth- 
day of  the  soul. 

For  God  sealeth  up  the  sum,  confirmed  exemplar  of  propor- 
tions, 

Rich  in  love,  full  of  wisdom,  and  perfect  in  the  plenitude  of 
Beauty.  (9) 


OF  FAME. 

Blow  the  trumpet,  spread  the  wing,  fling  thy  scroll  upon  the 
sky, 

Rouse  the  slumbering  world,  O Fame,  and  fill  the  sphere 
with  echo : — 

Beneath  tby  blast  they  wake,  and  murmurs  come  hoarsely 
on  the  wind, 

And  flashing  eyes  and  bristling  hands  proclaim  they  hear 
thy  message : 

Rolling  and  surging  as  a sea,  that  upturned  flood  of  faces 

Hasteneth  with  its  million  tongues  to  spread  the  wondrous 
tale , 

The  hum  of  added  voices  groweth  to  the  roaring  of  a cata- 
ract, 

And  rapidly  from  wave  to  wave  is  tossed  that  exaggerated 
story, 

Until  those  stunning  clamors,  gradually  diluted  in  the  dis- 
tance, 

Sink  ashamed,  and  shrink  afraid  of  noise,  and  die  away. 

Then  brooding  Silence,  forth  from  his  hollow  caverns, 


244 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 


Cloaked  and  cowled,  and  gliding  along,  a cold  and  stealthy 
shadow, 

Once  more  is  mingled  with  the  multitude,  whispering  as  he 
walketh, 

And  hushing  all  their  eager  ears  to  hear  some  newer  Fame. 

So  all  is  still  again  ; but  nothing  of  the  past  hath  been  for- 
gotten ; 

A stirring  recollection  of  the  trumpet  ringeth  in  the  hearts  of 
men ; 

And  each  one,  either  envious  or  admiring,  hath  wished  the 
chance  were  his 

To  fill  as  thus  the  startled  world  with  fame,  or  fear,  or  won- 
der. 

This  lit  thy  torch  of  sacrilege,  Ephesian  Eratostratus  ; (10) 

This  dug  thy  living  grave,  Pythagoras,  the  traveller  from 
Hades  ; 

For  this,  dived  Empedocles  into  ^Etna’s  fiery  whirlpool ; 

For  this  conquerors,  regicides,  and  rebels,  have  dared  their 
perilous  crimes. 

In  all  men,  from  the  monarch  to  the  menial,  lurketh  lust  of 
fame ; 

The  savage  and  the  sage  alike  regard  their  labors  proudly : 

Yea,  in  death,  the  glazing  eye  is  illumined  by  the  hope  of 
reputation, 

And  the  stricken  warrior  is  glad,  that  his  wounds  are  salved 
with  glory. 

For  fame  is  a sweet  self-homage,  an  offering  grateful  to  the 
idol, 

A spiritual  nectar  for  the  spiritual  thirst,  a mental  food  for 
mind, 

A pregnant  evidence  to  all  of  an  after  immaterial  existence, 

A proof  that  soul  is  scatheless,  when  its  dwelling  is  dissolved. 

And  the  manifold  pleasures  of  fame  are  sought  by  the  guilty 
and  the  good ; 


OF  FAME. 


245 


SERIES  II.] 


Pleasures,  various  in  kind,  and  spiced  to  every  palate  ; 

The  thoughtful  loveth  fame  as  an  earnest  of  better  immor- 
tality, 

The  industrious  and  deserving,  as  a symbol  of  just  appre- 
ciation, 

The  selfish,  as  a promise  of  advancement,  at  least  to  a man’s 
own  kin, 

And  common  minds  as  a flattering  fact  that  men  have  been 
told  of  their  existence. 


There  is  a blameless  love  of  fame,  springing  from  desire  of 
justice, 

When  a man  hath  featly  won  and  fairly  claimed  his  honors : 

And  then  fame  cometh  as  encouragement  to  the  inward  con- 
sciousness of  merit, 

Gladdening  by  the  kindliness  and  thanks,  wherewithal  his 
labors  are  rewarded. 

But  there  is  a sordid  imitation,  a feverish  thirst  for  notoriety, 

Waiting  upon  vanity  and  sloth,  and  utterly  regardless  of  de- 
serving : 

And  then  fame  cometh  as  a curse : the  fire-damp  is  gathered 
in  the  mine : 

The  soul  is  swelled  with  poisonous  air,  and  a spark  of  temp- 
tation shall  explode  it. 


Idle  causes,  noised  awhile,  shall  yield  most  active  conse- 
quents, 

And  therefore  it  were  ill  upon  occasion,  to  scorn  the  voice  of 
rumor. 

Ye  have  seen  the  chemist  in  his  art  mingle  invisible  gases ; 

And  lo,  the  product  is  a substance,  a heavy  dark  precipitate ; 

Even  so  fame,  hurtling  on  the  quiet  with  many  meeting 
tongues, 

Can  out  of  nothing  bring  forth  fruits,  and  blossom  on  a nou- 
rishment of  air. 

For  many  have  earned  honor,  and  thereby  rank  and  riches, 
21* 


246  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

From  false  and  fleeting  tales,  some  casual  mere  mistake  ; 

And  many  have  been  wrecked  upon  disgrace,  and  have  strug- 
gled with  poverty  and  scorn, 

From  envious  hints  and  ill  reports,  the  slanders  cast  on  inno- 
cence. 

Whom  may  not  scandal  hit  ? those  shafts  are  shot  at  a ven- 
ture : 

Who  standeth  not  in  danger  of  suspicion?  that  net  hath 
caught  the  noblest. 

Caesar’s  wife  was  spotless,  but  a martyr  to  false  fame  ; (n) 

And  Rumor,  in  temporary  things,  is  gigantic  as  a ruin  or  a 
remedy. 

Many  poor  and  many  rich  have  testified  its  popular  omnipo- 
tence, 

And  many  a panic-stricken  army  hath  perished  with  the  host 
of  the  Assyrians. 

Nevertheless,  if  opportunity  be  naught,  let  a man  bide  his 
time ; 

So  the  matter  be  not  merchandise  ner  conquest,  fear  thou  less 
for  character. 

If  a liar  accuseth  thee  of  evil,  be  not  swift  to  answer ; 

Yea,  rather  give  him  license  for  a while : it  shall  help  thine 
honor  afterward ; 

Never  yet  was  calumny  engendered,  but  good  men  speedily 
discerned  it, 

And  innocence  hath  burst  from  its  injustice,  as  the  green 
world  rolling  out  of  Chaos. 

What  though  still  the  wicked  scoff,  this  also  turneth  to  his 
praise ; 

Did  ye  never  hear  that  censure  of  the  bad  is  buttress  to  a 
good  man’s  glory  ? 

What,  if  the  ignorant  still  hold  out,  obstinate  in  unkind  judg- 
ment,— 

Ignorance  and  calumny  are  paired  ; we  affirm  by  two  nega- 
tions ; 


series  ii.]  OF  FAME.  247 

Let  them  stand  round  about,  pushing  at  the  column  in  a circle, 
For  all  their  toil  and  wasted  strength,  the  foolish  do  but  prop  it. 
And  note  thou  this ; in  the  secret  of  their  hearts,  they  feel 
the  taunt  is  false, 

And  cannot  help  but  reverence  the  courage  that  walketh 
amid  calumnies  unanswering : 

He  standeth  as  a gallant  chief,  unheeding  shot  or  shell ; 

He  trusted  in  God  his  Judge  ; neither  arrows  nor  the  pesti- 
lence shall  harm  him. 


A high  heart  is  a sacrifice  to  heaven ; should  it  stoop  among 
the  creepers  in  the  dust, 

To  tell  them  that  what  God  approved  is  worthy  of  their 
praise  ? 

Never  shall  it  heed  the  thought ; but  flaming  on  in  triumph 
to  the  skies, 

And  quite  forgetting  fame,  shall  find  it  added  as  a trophy. 

A great  mind  is  an  altar  on  a hill ; should  the  priest  descend 
from  his  altitude 

To  canvass  offerings  and  worship  from  dwellers  on  the  plain  ? 

Rather  with  majestic  perseverance,  will  he  minister  in  soli- 
tary grandeur, 

Confident  the  time  will  come  when  pilgrims  shall  be  flocking 
to  the  shrine. 

For  fame  is  the  birthright  of  genius  ; and  he  recketh  not  how 
long  it  be  delayed : 

The  heir  need  not  hasten  to  his  heritage,  when  he  knoweth 
that  his  tenure  is  eternal. 

The  careless  poet  of  Avon,  was  he  troubled  for  his  fame, 

Or  the  deep-mouthed  chronicler  of  Paradise,  heeded  he  the 
suffrage  of  his  equals  ? 

Mceonides  took  no  thought,  committing  all  his  honors  to  the 
future, 

And  Flaccus,  standing  on  his  watch-tower,  spied  the  praise 
of  ages.  (12) 


248  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Smoking  flax  will  breed  a flame,  and  the  flame  may  illumi- 
nate a world ; 

Where  is  he  who  scorned  that  smoke  as  foul  and  murky 
vapor  7 

The  village  stream  swelled  to  a river,  and  the  river  was  a 
kingdom’s  wealth, 

Where  is  he  who  boasted  he  could  step  across  that  stream  7 

Such  are  the  beginnings  of  the  famous ; little  in  the  judg- 
ment of  their  peers, 

The  juster  verdict  of  posterity  shall  fix  them  in  the  orbits  of 
the  Great. 

Therefore  dull  Zoilus,  clamoring  ascendant  of  the  hour, 

Will  soon  be  fain  to  hide  his  hate,  and  bury  up  his  bitter- 
ness for  shame : 

Therefore  mocking  Momus,  offended  at  the  steps  of  Beau- 
ty, (13) 

Shall  win  the  prize  of  his  presumption,  and  be  hooted  from 
his  throne  among  the  stars. 

For,  as  the  shadow  of  a mountain  lengtheneth  before  the 
setting  sun, 

Until  that  screening  Alp  have  darkened  all  the  Canton, — 

So,  Fame  groweth  to  its  great  ones  ; their  images  loom  larger 
in  departing ; 

But  the  shadow  of  mind  is  light,  and  earth  is  filled  with  its 
glory. 


And  thou,  student  of  the  truth,  commended  to  the  praise  of 
God, 

Wouldst  thou  find  applause  with  men  7 — seek  it  not,  nor 
shun  it ; 

Ancient  fame  is  roofed  in  cedar,  and  her  walls  are  marble  ; 

Modern  fame  lodgeth  in  a hut,  a slight  and  temporary  dwel- 
ling : 

Lay  not  up  the  treasures  of  thy  soul  within  so  damp  a cham- 
ber, 


OF  FAME. 


SERIES  II.J 


249 


For  the  moth  of  detraction  shall  fret  thy  robe,  ard  drop  its 
eggs  upon  thy  motive ; 

Or  the  rust  of  disheartening  reserve  shall  spoil  the  lustre  of 
thy  gold, 

Until  its  burnished  beauty  shall  be  dim  as  tarnished  brass ; 

Or  thieves,  breaking  through  to  steal,  shall  claim  thy  jew- 
elled thoughts, 

And  turn  to  charge  the  theft  on  thee,  a pilferer  from  them ! 


There  is  a magnanimity  in  recklessness  of  fame,  so  fame  be 
well  deserving, 

That  rusheth  on  in  fearless  might,  the  conscious  sense  of 
merit ; 

And  there  is  a littleness  in  jealousy  of  fame,  looking  as  aware 
of  weakness, 

That  creepeth  cautiously  along,  afraid  that  its  title  will  be 
challenged. 

The  wild  boar,  full  of  beechmast,  flingeth  him  down  among 
the  brambles ; 

Secure  in  bristly  strength,  without  a watch  he  sleepeth : 

But  the  hare,  afraid  to  feed,  croucheth  in  its  own  soft  form ; 

Wakefully  with  timid  eyes,  and  quivering  ears,  he  listeneth. 

Even  so,  a giant’s  might  is  bound  up  in  the  soul  of  Genius, 

His  neck  is  strong  with  confidence,  and  he  goeth  tusked  with 
power : 

Sturdily  he  roameth  in  the  forest,  or  sunneth  him  in  fen  and 
field, 

And  scareth  from  his  marshy  lair  a host  of  fearful  foes. 

But  there  is  a mimic  Talent,  whose  safety  lieth  in  its  quick- 
ness, 

A timorous  thing  of  doubling  guile,  that  scarce  can  face  a 
friend : 

This  one  is  captious  of  reproof,  provident  to  snatch  occasion, 

Greedy  of  applause,  and  vext  to  lose  one  tittle  of  the  glory. 

He  is  a poor  warder  of  his  fame,  who  is  ever  on  the  watch  to 
keep  it  spotless ; 


230  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Such  care  argueth  debility,  a garrison  relying  on  its  sentinel. 
Passive  st  ength  shall  scorn  excuses,  patiently  waiting  a re- 
ac'  on, 

He  wotteth  well  that  truth  is  great,  and  must  prevail  at 
last : 

But  fretful  weakness  hasteth  to  explain,  anxiously  dreading 
prejudice, 

And  ignorant  that  perishable  falsehood  dieth  as  a branch  cut 
off. 

Purity  of  motive  and  nobility  of  mind  shall  rarely  conde- 
scend 

To  prove  its  rights,  and  prate  of  wrongs,  or  evidence  its  worth 
to  others. 

And  it  shall  be  small  care  to  the  high  and  happy  conscience 
What  jealous  friends,  or  envious  foes,  or  common  fools  may 
judge. 

Should  the  lion  turn  and  rend  every  snarling  jackal, 

Or  an  eagle  be  stopt  in  his  career  to  punish  the  petulance  of 
sparrows  ? 

Should  the  palm  tree  bend  his  crown  to  chide  the  briar  at  his 
feet, 

Nor  kindly  help  its  climbing,  if  it  hope,  and  be  ambitious  ? 
Should  the  nightingale  account  it  worth  her  pains  to  vindi- 
cate her  music, 

Before  some  sorry  finches,  that  affect  to  judge  of  song  1 
No : many  an  injustice,  many  a sneer,  and  slur, 

Is  passed  aside  with  noble  scorn  by  lovers  of  true  fame  : 

For  well  they  wot  that  glory  shall  be  tinctured  good  or  evil, 
By  the  character  of  those  who  give  it,  as  wine  is  flavored  by 
the  wineskin : 

So  that  worthy  Fame  floweth  only  from  a worthy  fountain, 
But  from  an  ill-conditioned  troop,  the  best  report  is  worth- 
less. 

And  if  the  sensibility  of  genius  count  his  injuries  in  secret, 
Wisely  will  he  hide  the  pains  a hardened  herd  would  mock; 


OF  FAME. 


SERIES  II.J 


251 


For  the  great  mind  well  may  be  sad  to  note  such  littleness  in 
brethren, 

The  while  he  is  comforted  and  happy  in  the  firmest  assur- 
ance of  desert. 


Cease  awhile,  gentle  scholar; — seek  other  thoughts  and 
themes ; 

Or  dazzling  Fame  with  wildfire  light  will  lure  us  on  for 
ever. 

For  look,  all  subjects  of  the  mind  may  range  beneath  its 
banner, 

And  time  would  fail  and  patience  droop,  to  count  that  nume- 
rous host. 

The  mine  is  deep,  and  branching  wide, — and  who  can  work 
it  out  1 

Years  of  thought  would  leave  untold  the  boundless  topic, 
Fame. 

Every  matter  in  the  universe  is  linked  in  suchwise  unto 
others, 

That  a deep  full  treatise  upon  one  thing  might  reach  to  the 
history  of  all  things : 

And  before  some  single  thesis  had  been  followed  out  in  all 
its  branches, 

The  wandering  thinker  would  be  lost  in  the  pathless  forest  of 
existence. 

What  were  the  matter  or  the  spirit,  that  hath  no  part  in 
Fame  1 

Where  were  the  fact  irrelevant,  or  the  fancy  out  of  place  1 

For  the  handling  of  that  mighty  theme  should  stretch  from 
past  to  future, 

Catching  up  the  present  on  its  way,  as  a traveller  burdened 
with  time. 

All  manner  of  men,  their  deeds,  hopes,  fortunes,  and  ambi- 
tions, 

All  manner  of  events  and  things,  climate,  circumstance,  and 
custom, 


252  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Wealth  and  war,  fear  and  hope,  contentment,  jealousy,  devo- 
tion, 

Skill  and  learning,  truth,  falsehood,  knowledge  of  things  gone 
and  things  to  come, 

Pride  and  praise,  honor  and  dishonor,  warnings,  ensamples, 
emulations, 

The  excellent  in  virtues,  and  the  reprdfcate  in  vice,  with  the 
cloud  of  indifferet  spectators,  - 

Wave  on  wave  with  flooding  force  throng  the  shoals  of 
thought, 

Filling  that  immeasurable  theme,  the  height  and  depth  of 
Fame. 

With  soul  unsatisfied  and  mind  dismayed,  my  feet  have 
touched  the  threshold, 

Fain  to  pour  these  flowers  and  fruits  an  offering  on  that  altar : 

Lo,  how  vast  the  temple, — there  are  clouds  within  the  dome ! 

Yet  might  the  huge  expanse  be  filled  with  volumes  writ  on 
Fame. 


OF  FLATTERY. 

Music  is  commended  of  the  deaf but  is  that  praise  des- 
pised ? 

I trow  not:  with  flattered  soul,  the  musician  heard  him 
gladly. 

Beauty  is  commended  of  the  blind ; but  is  that  compliment 
misliking  1 

I trow  not ; though  false  and  insincere,  woman  listened 
greedily. 

Vacant  Folly  talketh  high  of  Learning’s  deepest  reason  : 

Is  she  hated  for  her  hollowness  1 — learning  held  her  wiser 
for  the  nonce. 

The  worldly  and  the  sensual,  to  gain  some  end,  did  homage 
to  religion ; 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  FLATTERY. 


253 


And  the  good  man  gave  thanks  as  for  a convert,  where  others 
saw  the  hypocrite. 

Yet  none  of  these  were  cheated  at  the  heart,  nor  steadily 
believed  those  flatteries  ; 

They  feared  the  core  was  rotten,  while  they  hoped  the  skin 
was  sound : 

But  the  fruits  have  so  sweet  fragrance,  and  are  verily  so 
pleasant  to  the  eyes, 

It  were  an  ungracious  disenchantment  to  find  them  apples 
of  Sodom. 

So  they  labored  to  think  all  honest,  winking  hard  with  both 
their  eyes ; 

And  hushed  up  every  whisper  that  could  prove  that  praise 
absurd ; 

They  willingly  regard  not  the  infirmities  that  make  such 
worship  vain, 

And  palliate  to  their  own  fond  hearts  the  faults  they  will  not 
see. 

For  the  idol  rejoiceth  in  his  incense,  and  loreth  not  to  shame 
his  suppliants, 

Should  he  seek  to  find  them  false,  his  honors  die  with  theirs  ; 

Afii  offering  is  welcome  for  its  own  sake,  set  aside  the  giver, 

And  praise  is  precious  to  a man,  though  uttered  by  the  parrot 
or  the  mocking-bird 

The  world  is  full  of  fools;  and  sycophancy  liveth  on  the 
foolish : 

So  he  grovveth  great  and  rich,  that  fawning  subtle  parasite. 

Sometimes  he  boweth  like  a reed,  cringing  to  the  pompous- 
ness of  pride, 

Sometimes  he  strutteth  as  a gallant,  pampering  the  ficklent^s 
of  vanity : 

I have  known  him  listen  with  the  humble,  enacting  silent 
marveller, 


22 


254  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

To  hear  some  purse-proud  dunce  expound  his  poverty  of 
mind  ; 

I have  heard  him  wrangle  with  the  obstinate,  vowing  that 
he  will  not  be  convinced, 

When  some  weak  youth  had  wisely  feared  the  chance  of 
ill-success : 

Now,  he  will  barely  be  a winner, — to  magnify  thy  triumphs 
afterward : 

Now,  he  will  hardly  be  a loser, — but  cannot  cease  to  wonder 
at  thy  skill : 

He  laudeth  his  own  worth,  that  the  leader  may  have  glory 
in  his  follower ; 

He  meekly  confesseth  his  unworthiness,  that  the  leader  may 
have  glory  in  himself. 

Many  wiles  hath  he,  and  many  modes  of  catching, 

But  every  trap  is  selfishness,  and  every  bait  is  praise. 

Come,  I would  forewarn  thee,  and  forearm  thee;  for  keen 
are  the  weapons  of  his  warfare ; 

And  while  my  soul  hath  scorned  him,  I have  watched  his 
skill  from  far. 

His  thoughts  are  full  of  guile,  deceitfully  combining  contrarie- 
ties, 

And  when  he  doeth  battle  in  a man,  he  is  leagued  with 
traitorous  Self-love ; 

Strange  things  have  I noted,  and  opposite  to  common  fancy  ; 

We  leave  the  open  surface,  and  would  plumb  the  secret 
depths. 

For  he  will  magnify  a lover  even  to  disparaging  his  mistress  ; 

So  much  wisdom,  goodness,  grace,  and  all  to  be  enslaved  ? 

Till  the  Narcissus,  self-enamored,  whelmed  in  floods  of  flat- 
tery, 

cheated  from  the  constancy  and  fervency  of  love  by  friend- 
ship’s subtle  praise. 

Moreover,  he  will  glorify  a parent,  even  to  the  censure  of  his 
child, — 


OF  FLATTERY. 


255 


SERIES  II.] 


O degenerate  scion,  of  a stock  so  excellent  and  noble ! 

Scant  will  be  in  well-earned  praise  of  a son  before  his  father ; 

And  rarely  commendeth  to  a mother  her  daughter’s  budding 
beauty : 

Yet  shall  he  extol  the  daughter  to  her  father,  and  be  warm 
about  the  son  before  his  mother ; 

Knowing  that  self-love  entereth  not,  to  resist  applause  with 
jealousies. 

Wisely  is  he  sparing  of  hyperbole  where  vehemence  of  praise 
would  humble, 

For  many  a father  liketh  ill  to  be  counted  second  to  his  son : 

And  shrewdly  the  flatterer  hath  reckoned  on  a self  still  lurk- 
ing in  the  mother, 

When  his  tongue  was  slow  to  speak  of  graces  in  the  daughter. 

But,  if  he  descend  a generation,  to  the  grandsire  his  talk  is  of 
the  grandson, 

Because  in  such  high  praise  he  hideth  the  honors  of  the  son ; 

And  the  daughter  of  a daughter  may  well  exceed,  in  beauty, 
love,  and  learning, 

For  unconsciously  old  age  perceived — she  cannot  be  my 
rival. 

These  are  of  the  deep  things  of  flattery  and  many  a shallow 
sycophant 

Hath  marvelled  ill  that  praise  of  children  seldom  won  their 
parents. 

This  therefore  note,  unto  detection;  flattery  can  sneer  as 
well  as  smile  ; 

And  a master  in  the  craft  wotteth  well  that  his  oblique  thrust 
is  surest. 


Flattery  sticketh  like  a burr,  holding  to  the  soil  with  an- 
chors, 

A vital,  natural,  subtle  seed,  everywhere  hardy  and  indige- 
nous. 

Go  to  the  storehouse  of  thy  memory,  and  take  what  is  readi- 
est to  thy  hand, — 


256  Proverbial  philosophy,  [series  h. 

The  noble  deed,  the  clever  phrase,  for  which  thy  pride  was 
flattered  : 

Oh,  it  hath  been  dwelt  upon  in  solitude,  and  comforted  thy 
heart  in  crowds, 

It  hath  made  thee  walk  as  in  a dream,  and  lifted  the  head 
above  thy  fellows ; 

It  hath  compensated  months  of  gloom,  that  minute  of  sweet 
sunshine, 

Drying  up  the  pools  of  apathy,  and  kindling  the  fire  of  ambi- 
tion : 

Yea,  the  flavor  of  that  spice,  mingled  in  the  cup  of  life, 

Shall  linger  even  to  the  dregs,  and  still  be  tasted  with  a wel- 
come ; 

The  dame  shall  tell  her  grandchild  of  her  coy  and  courted 
youth, 

And  the  greybeard  prateth  of  a stranger,  who  praised  his  task 
at  school. 


Ofttimes  to  the  sluggard  and  the  dull,  flattery  hath  done 
good  service, 

Quickening  the  mind  to  emulation,  and  encouraging  the 
heart  that  failed. 

Even  so,  a stimulating  poison,  wisely  tendered  by  the  leech, 

Shall  speed  the  pulse,  and  rally  life,  and  cheat  astonished 
death. 

For,  as  a timid  swimmer  ventureth  afloat  with  bladders, 

Until  self-confidence  and  growth  of  skill  have  made  him 
spurn  their  aid, 

Thus  commendation  may  be  prudent,  where  a child  hath  ill 
deserved  it ; 

But  praise  unmerited  is  flattery,  and  the  curse  will  bring  its 
cares : 

For  thy  son  may  find  thee  out,  and  thou  shalt  rue  the  remedy : 

Yea  rather,  where  thou  canst  not  praise,  be  honest  in  re- 
buke. 


series  n.J  OF  FLATTERY.  257 

I have  seen  the  object  of  a flatterer  mirrored  clearly  on  the 
surface, 

Where  self-love  scattereth  praise  to  gather  praise  again. 

This  is  a commodity  of  merchandise,  words  put  out  at  inte- 
rest ; 

A scheme  for  canvassing  opinions,  and  tinging  them  all  with 
partiality. 

He  is  but  a harmless  fool ; humor  him  with  pitiful  good-na- 
ture : 

If  a poetaster  quote  thy  song,  be  thou  tender  to  his  poem : 

Did  the  painter  praise  thy  sketch  1 be  kind,  commend  his 
picture, 

He  looketh  for  a like  return ; then  thank  him  with  thy 
praise. 

In  these  small  things  with  these  small  minds  count  thou  the 
sycophant  a courtier, 

And  pay  back,  as  blindly  as  ye  may,  the  too  transparent 
honor. 

Also,  where  the  flattery  is  delicate,  coming  unobtrusive  and 

in  season, 

Though  thou  be  suspicious  of  its  truth,  be  generous  at  least 
to  its  gentility. 

The  skilful  thief  of  Lacedaemon  had  praise  before  his  judges, 

And  many  caitiffs  win  applause  for  genius  in  their  calling. 

Moreover,  his  meaning  may  be  kind, — and  thou  art  a debtor 
to  his  tongue ; 

Hasten  well  to  pay  the  debt,  with  charity  and  shrewdness : 

He  must  not  think  thee  caught,  nor  feel  himself  discovered, 

Nor  find  thine  answering  compliment  as  hollow  as  his  own. 

Though  he  be  a smiling  enemy,  let  him  heed  thee  as  the 
fearless  and  the  friendly  ; 

A searching  look,  a poignant  word,  may  prove  thou  art 
aware : 

Still,  with  compassion  to  the  frail,  though  keen  to  see  his 
soul, 


22* 


! 

258  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  II. 

Let  him  not  fear  for  thy  discretion : see  thou  keep  his  se- 
cret, and  thine  own. 

However,  where  the  flattery  is  gross,  a falsehood  clear  and 
fulsome, 

Crush  the  venomous  toad,  and  spare  not  for  a jewel  in  his 
head. 

Tell  the  presumptuous  in  flattery,  that  or  ever  he  bespatter 
thee  with  praise, 

It  might  be  well  to  stop  and  ask  how  little  it  were  worth : 

Thou  hast  not  solicited  his  suffrage, — let  him  not  force  thee 
to  refuse  it ; 

Look  to  it,  man,  thy  fence  is  foiled, — and  thus  we  spoil  the  plot. 

Self-knowledge  goeth  armed,  girt  with  many  weapons, 

But  carrieth  whips  for  flattery,  to  lash  it  like  a slave  : 

But  the  dunce  in  that  great  science  goeth  as  a greedy  tunny, 

To  gorge  both  bait  and  hook,  unheeding  all  but  appetite  : 

He  smelleth  praise  and  swalloweth, — yea  though  it  be  palpa- 
ble and  plain ; 

Say  unto  him,  Folly  thou  art  Wisdom, — he  will  bless  thee 
for  thy  lie. 

Flatterer,  thou  shalt  rue  thy  trade,  though  it  have  many 
present  gains ; 

Those  varnished  wares  may  sell  apace,  yet  shall  they  spoil 
thy  credit. 

Thine  is  the  intoxicating  cup,  which  whoso  drinketh  it  shall 
nauseate ; 

Thine  is  trickery  and  cheating  ; but  deception  never  pleased 
for  long. 

And  though  while  fresh,  thy  fragrance  seemed  even  as  the 
dews  of  charity, 

Yet  afterwards  it  fouled  thy  censer,  as  with  savor  of  stale 
smoke. 

For  the  great  mind  detected  thee  at  once,  answering  thine 
emptiness  with  pity, 


OF  FLATTERY. 


SERIES  II.] 


259 


He  saw  thy  self-interested  zeal,  and  was  not  cozened  by  vain- 
glory : 

And  the  little  mind  is  bloated  with  the  praise,  scorning  him 
who  gave  it, 

A fool  shall  turn  to  be  thy  tyrant,  an  thou  hast  dubbed  him 
great : 

And  the  medium  mind  of  common  men,  loving  first  thy  music, 

After,  when  the  harmonies  are  done,  shall  feel  small  comfort 
in  their  echoes ; 

For  either  he  shall  know  thee  false,  conscious  of  contrary 
deservings, 

And,  hating  thee  for  falsehood,  soon  will  scorn  himself  for 
truth ; 

Or,  if  in  aught  to  toilsome  merit  honest  praise  be  due, 

Though  for  a season,  belike,  his  weakness  hath  been  raptured 
at  thy  witching, 

Shall  he  not  speedily  perceive,  to  the  vexing  of  his  disap- 
pointed spirit, 

That  thine  exaggerative  tongue  hath  robbed  him  of  fair  fame  ? 

Thou  hast  paid  in  forgers’  coins,  and  he  had  earned  true 
money : 

For  the  substance  of  just  praise  thou  hast  put  him  off  with 
shadows  of  the  sycophant, 

Thou  art  all  things  to  all  men,  for  ends  false  and  selfish, 

Therefore  shalt  be  nothing  unto  any  one,  when  those  thine 
ends  are  seen 


Turn  aside,  young  scholar,  turn  from  the  song  of  Flattery  ! 
She  hath  the  Siren’s  musical  voice,  to  ravish  and  betray. 
Her  tongue  droppeth  honey,  but  it  is  the  honey  of  Anticyra  ; 
Her  face  is  a mask  of  fascination,  but  there  hideth  deformity 
behind; 

Her  coming  is  the  presence  of  a queen,  heralded  by  courtesy 
and  beauty, 

But,  going  away,  her  train  is  held  by  the  hideous  dwarf, 
Disgust. 


260  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Know  thyself,  thy  evil  as  thy  good,  and  flattery  shall  not 
harm  thee : 

Yea,  her  speech  shall  be  a warning,  an  humbling,  and  a guide. 

For  wherein  thou  lackest  most,  there  chiefly  will  the  syco- 
phant commend  thee, 

And  then  most  warmly  will  congratulate,  when  a man  hath 
least  deserved. 

Behold,  she  is  doubly  a traitor ; and  will  underrate  her  vic- 
tim’s best, 

That,  to  the  comforting  of  conscience,  she  may  plead  his 
worse  for  better. 


Therefore  is  she  dangerous, — as  every  lie  is  dangerous : 

Believe  her  tales  and  perish ; if  thou  act  upon  such  counsel. 

Her  aims  are  thine,  not  thee,  thy  wealth  and  not  thy  welfare, 

Thy  suffrage  not  thy  safety,  thine  aid  and  not  thine  honor. 

Moreover,  with  those  aims  insured,  ceaseth  all  her  glozing ; 

She  hath  used  thee  as  a handle, — but  her  hand  was  wise  to 
turn  it. 

Thus  will  she  glorify  her  skill,  that  it  deftly  caught  thy  kind- 
ness, 

Thus  will  she  scorn  thy  kindness,  so  pliable  and  easy  fo  her 
skill. 

And  then,  the  flatterer  will  turn  to  be  thy  foe,  the  bitterest 
and  hottest, 

Because  he  oweth  thee  much  hate  to  pay  off  many  hum- 
blings. 

Thinkest  thou  now  he  is  high,  he  loveth  the  remembrance  of 
his  lowliness, 

The  servile  manner,  the  dependent  smile,  the  conscience 

self-abased  ? 

No,  this  hour  is  his  own,  and  the  flatterer  will  be  found  a busy 
mocker ; 

He  that  hath  salved  thee  with  his  tongue  shall  now  gnash 
upon  thee  with  his  teeth, 


series  ii.J  OF  FLATTERY.  261 

Yea,  he  will  be  leader  in  the  laugh, — silly  one,  to  listen  to 
thy  loss, 

We  scarce  had  hoped  to  lime  and  take  another  of  the  fools 
of  flattery. 

At  the  last ; have  charity,  young  scholar, — yea  to  the  syco- 
phant convicted ; 

Be  not  a Brutus  to  thyself,  nor  stern  in  thine  own  cause. 

Pardon  exaggerated  praise  ; for  there  is  a natural  impulse 

Spurring  on  the  nobler  mind,  to  color  facts  by  feelings  : 

Take  an  indulgent  view  of  each  man’s  interest  in  self, 

Be  large  and  liberal  in  excuses ; is  not  that  infirmity  thine 
own  7 

Search  thy  soul  and  be  humble ; and  mercy  abideth  with 
humility ; 

So  that,  yea,  the  insincere,  may  find  thee  pitiful,  and  love 
thee. 

Mildly  put  aside,  without  rudeness  of  repulse,  the  pampering 
hand  of  flattery, 

For  courtesy  and  kindness  have  gone  beneath  its  guise,  and 
ill  shouldst  thou  rebuke  them. 

Thou  art  incapable  of  theft : but  flowers  in  the  garden  of  a 
friend 

Are  thine  to  pluck  with  confidence,  and  it  were  unfriendli- 
ness to  hesitate : 

Thou  abhorrest  flattery  : but  a generous  excess  in  praise 

Is  thine  to  yield  with  honest  heart,  and  false  were  the  cha- 
rity to  doubt  it : 

The  difference  lieth  in  thine  aim ; kindliness  and  good  are 
of  charity, 

But  selfish  harmful,  vile,  and  bad,  is  flattery’s  evil  end. 


262 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


OF  NEGLECT. 

Generous  and  righteous  is  thy  grief,  slighted  child  of  sensi- 
bility; 

For  kindliness  enkindleth  love,  but  the  waters  of  indifference 
quench  it; 

Thy  soul  is  athirst  for  sympathy,  and  hungereth  to  find  affec- 
tion, 

The  tender  scions  of  thy  heart  yearn  for  the  sunshine  of  good 
feeling, 

And  it  is  an  evil  thing  and  bitter,  when  the  cheerful  face  of 
Charity, 

Going  forth  gaily  in  the  morning  to  woo  the  world  with 
smiles, 

Is  met  by  those  wayfaring  men  with  coldness,  suspicion,  and 
repulse, 

And  turneth  into  hard  dead  stone  at  the  Gorgon  visage  of 
Neglect. 

0 brother,  warm  and  young,  covetous  of  others’  favor, 

1 see  thee  checked  and  chilled  sorrowing  for  censure  or  for- 

getfulness. 

Let  coarse  and  common  minds  despise — that  wounding  of 
thy  vanity, 

Alas,  I note  a sorer  cause,  the  blighting  of  thy  love  ; 

Let  the  callous  sensual  deride  thee,  disappointed  of  thy 
praise, 

Alas,  thou  hast  a juster  grief,  defrauded  of  their  kindness  : 

It  is  a theme  for  tears  to  feel  the  soft  heart  hardening, 

The  frozen  breath  of  apathy  sealing  up  the  fountain  of  af- 
fection ; 

It  is  a pang  keen  only  to  the  best,  to  be  injured  well-deserv- 
ing, 

And  slumbering  Neglect  is  injury, — could  ye  not  watch  one 
hour? 


OF  NEGLECT. 


263 


SERIES  II.] 

When  God  himself  complained,  it  was  that  none  regarded, 
And  indifference  bowed  to  rebuke,  Thou  gavest  Me  no  kiss 
when  l came  in. 

Moreover,  praise  is  good , honor  is  a treasure  to  be  hoard- 
ed ; 

A good  man’s  praise  foreshadoweth  God’s  and  his  smile  is 
heaven : 

But  men  walk  on  in  hardihood,  steeling  their  sinfulness  to 
censure, 

And  where  rebuke  is  ridiculed,  the  love  of  praise  were  an 
infirmity ; 

The  judge  thou  heedest  not  in  fear,  cannot  have  deep  ho- 
mage of  thy  hope, 

And  who  then  is  the  wise  of  this  world,  that  will  own  he 
trembleth  at  his  fellows  7 

Calm,  careless,  and  insensible,  he  mocketh  blame  or  calumny, 
Neither  should  his  dignity  be  humbled  to  some  pittance  of 
their  praise : 

The  rather,  let  false  pride  affect  to  trample  on  the  treasure 
Which  evermore  in  secret  strength  unconquered  Nature  priz- 
eth  ; 

Rather,  shall  he  stifle  now  the  rising  bliss  of  triumph, 

Lest  after,  in  the  world's  Neglect,  he  must  acknowledge  bit- 
terness. 

For  lo,  that  world  is  wide,  a huge  and  crowded  continent, 

Its  brazen  sun  is  mammon,  and  its  iron  soil  is  care, 

A world  full  of  men  where  each  man  clingeth  to  his  idol ; 

A world  full  of  men,  where  each  man  cherisheth  his  sor- 
row ; 

A world  full  of  men,  multitude  shoaling  upon  multitude, 

A surging  sea,  where  every  wave  is  burdened  with  an  argosy 
of  self, 

A boundless  beach,  where  every  stone  is  a separate  micro- 
scopic world, 


264  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

A forest  of  innumerable  trees,  where  every  root  is  indepen- 
dent. 

What  then  is  the  marvel  or  the  shame,  if  units  be  lost 
among  the  million, 

Canst  thou  reasonably  murmur,  if  a leaf  drop  off  unnoticed  1 

Wondrous  in  architecture,  intricate  and  beautiful,  delicately 
tinged  and  scented, 

Exquisite  of  feeling  and  mysterious  in  life,  none  cared  for  its 
growth,  or  its  decay : 

None  1 yea, — no  one  of  its  fellows, -^-nor  cedar,  palm,  nor 
bramble, — 

None  ? its  twinborn  brother  scarcely  missed  it  from  the 
spray : 

None  ? — if  none  indeed,  then  man’s  neglect  were  bitterness  ; 

And  life  a land  without  a sun,  a globe  without  a God ! 

Yea,  flowers  in  the  desert,  there  be  that  love  your  beauty, 

Yea,  jewels  in  the  sea,  there  be  that  prize  your  brightness  : 

Children  of  unmerited  oblivion,  there  be  that  watch  and  woo 
you, 

And  many  tend  your  sweets,  with  gentle  ministering  care  : 

Thronging  spirits  of  the  happy,  and  the  everpresent  Good 
One, 

Yearning  seek  those  precious  things  man  hath  not  heart  to 
love, 

Gems  of  the  humblest  or  the  highest,  pure  and  patient  in 
their  kind, 

The  souls  unhardened  by  ill-usage,  and  uncorrupt  by  luxury. 

And  ye,  poor  desolates  unsunned,  toilers  in  the  dark  damp 
mine, 

Wearied  daughters  of  oppression,  crushed  beneath  the  car 
of  avarice, 

There  be  that  count  your  tears, — He  hath  numbered  the  hairs 
of  thy  head, — 

There  be  that  can  forgive  you  ill  with  kind  considerate  pity : 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  NEGLECT. 


265 


Count  ye  this  for  comfort,  Justice  hath  her  balances, 

And  yet  another  world  can  compensate  for  all : 

The  daily  martyrdom  of  patience  shall  not  be  wanting  of  re- 
ward ; 

Duty  is  a prickly  shrub,  but  its  flower  will  be  happiness  and 
glory. 


Y e too,  the  friendless,  yet  dependent,  that  find  nor  home  nor 
lover, 

Sad  imprisoned  hearts,  captive  to  the  net  of  circumstance. — 

And  ye,  too  harshly  judged,  noble  unappreciated  intellects, 

Who,  capable  of  highest,  lowlier  fix  your  just  ambition  in 
content, 

And  chiefest,  ye,  famished  infants  of  the  poor,  toiling  for 
your  parents’  bread, 

Tired,  and  sore,  and  uncomforted  the  while,  for  want  of  lovo 
and  learning, 

Who  struggle  with  the  pitiless  machine  in  dull  continuous 
conflict, 

Tasked  by  iron  men,  who  care  for  nothing  but  your  labor, — 

Be  ye  long  suffering  and  courageous  ; abide  the  will  of  Hea- 
ven ; 

God  is  on  your  side  ; all  things  are  tenderly  remembered : 

His  servants  here  shall  help  you  ; and  where  those  fail  you 
through  Neglect, 

His  kingdom  still  hath  time  and  space  for  ample  discrimina- 
tive Justice : 

Yea,  though  utterly  on  this  bad  earth  ye  lose  both  right  and 
mercy, 

The  tears  that  we  forgat  to  note  our  God  shall  wipe  away, 


Nevertheless,  kind  spirit,  susceptible  and  guileless, — 
Meek  uncherished  dove,  in  a carrion  flock  of  fowls, 

Sensitive  mimosa,  shrinking  from  the  winds  that  help  to 
root  the  fir, 


23 


266  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Fragile  nautilus,  shipwrecked  in  the  gale  whereat  the  conch 
is  glad, 

Thy  sharp  peculiar  grief  is  uncomforted  by  hope  of  compen- 
sation, 

For  it  is  a delicate  and  spiritual  wound,  which  the  probe  of 
pity  bruiseth; 

Yet  hear  how  many  thoughts  extenuate  its  pain  ; 

Even  while  a kindred  heart  can  sorrow  for  its  presence. 

For  the  sting  of  neglect  is  in  this, — that  such  as  we  are,  all 
forget  us, 

That  men  and  women,  kith  and  kin,  so  lightly  heed  of 
other : 

Sympathy  is  lacking  from  the  guilty  such  as  we,  even  where 
angels  minister, 

And  souls  of  fine  accord  must  prize  a fellow-sinner’s  love : 

For  the  worst  love  those  who  love  them,  and  the  best  claim 
heart  for  heart, 

And  it  is  a holy  thirst  to  long  for  love’s  requital : 

Hard  it  will  be,  hard  and  sad,  to  love  and  be  unloved, 

And  many  a thorn  is  thrust  into  the  side  of  him  that  is  for- 
gotten. 

The  oppressive  silence  of  reserve,  the  frost  of  Failing  friend- 
ship, 

Affection  blighted  by  repulse,  or  chilled  by  shallow  courtesy, 

The  unaided  struggle,  the  unconsidered  grief,  the  unesteemed 
self-sacrifice, 

The  gift,  dear  evidence  of  kindness,  long  due,  but  never 
offered, 

The  glance  estranged,  the  letter  flung  aside,  the  greeting  ill 
received, 

The  services  of  unobtrusive  care  unthanked,  perchance 
unheeded, 

These  things,  which  hard  men  mock  at,  rend  the  feelings  of 
the  tender, 

For  the  delicate  tissue  of  a spiritual  mind  is  torn  by  those 
sharp  barbs  \ 


series  ii.J  OF  NEGLECT.  267 

The  coldness  of  a trusted  friend,  a plenitude  ending  in 
vacuity, 

Is  as  if  the  stable  world  had  burst  a hollow  bubble. 

t 

But,  consider,  child  of  sensibility  ; the  lot  of  man  is  labor, 
Labor  for  the  mouth,  or  labor  in  the  spirit,  labor  stern  and 
individual. 

Worldly  cares  and  worldly  hopes  exact  the  thoughts  of  all, 
And  there  is  a necessary  selfishness  rooted  in  each  mortal 
breast. 

The  plans  of  prudence,  or  the  whisperings  of  pride,  or  all- 
absorbing  reveries  of  love, 

Ambition,  grief,  or  fear,  or  joy,  set  each  man  for  himself : 
Therefore,  the  centre  of  a cycle,  whereunto  all  the  universe 
convergeth, 

Is  seen  in  fallen  solitude,  the  naked  selfish  heart : 

Stripped  of  conventional  deceptions,  untrammelled  from  the 
harness  of  society, 

We  all  may  read  one  little  word  engraved  on  all  we  do; 
Other  men,  what  are  they  unto  us  1 the  age,  the  mass,  the 
million, — 

We  segregate,  distinct  from  generalities,  that  isolated  particle, 
a self : 

It  is  the  very  law  of  our  life,  a law  for  soul  and  body, 

An  earthly  law  for  earthly  men,  toiling  in  responsible  proba- 
tion. 

For  each  is  the  all  unto  himself,  disguise  it  as  we  may, 

Each  infinite,  each  most  precious  : yet  even  as  a nothing  to 
his  neighbor. 

O consider,  we  be  crowding  up  an  avenue,  trapped  in  the 
decoy  of  time, 

Behind  us  the  irrevocable  past,  before  us  the  illimitable  fu- 
ture. 

What  wonder  is  there,  if  the  traveller,  wayworn,  hopeful, 
fearful, 

Burdened  himself,  so  lightly  heed  the  burden  of  his  brother  1 


268  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

How  shouldst  thou  marvel  and  be  sad  that  the  pilgrims  trou- 
ble not  to  learn  thee, 

When  each  hath  to  master  for  himself  the  lessons  of  life  and 
immortality  ? 

Moreover,  what  art  thou— so  vainly  impatient  of  Neglect? 

Where  then  is  thy  worthiness,  that  so  thou  claimest  honor  ? 

Let  the  true  judgment  of  humility  reckon  up  thine  ill  deserts, 

How  little  is  there  to  be  loved,  how  much  to  stir  up  scorn  ? 

The  double  heart,  the  bitter  tongue,  the  rash  and  erring 
spirit, 

Be  these,  ye  purest  among  men,  your  passports  into  favor  ? 

It  is  mercy  in  the  Merciful,  and  justice  in  the  Just,  to  be 
jealous  of  his  creature’s  love, 

But  how  should  evil  or  duplicity  arrogate  affection  to  itself  ? 

Where  love  is  happiness  and  duty,  to  be  jealous  of  that  love 
is  godlike. 

But  who  can  reverence  the  guilty  ? who  findeth  pleasure  in 
the  mean  ? 

Check  the  presumption  of  thy  hopes  : thankfully  take  refuge 
in  obscurity, 

Or,  if  thou  claimest  merit,  thy  sin  shall  be  proclaimed  upon 
the  housetops. 

Yet  again : consider  them  of  old,  the  good,  the  great,  the 
learned, 

Who  have  blessed  the  World  by  wisdom,  and  glorified  their 
God  by  purity. 

f Did  those  speed  in  favor?  were  they  the  loved  and  the 
admired  ? 

Was  every  prophet  had  in  honor?  and  every  deserving  one 
remembered  to  his  praise  ? 

What  shall  I say  of  yonder  band,  a glorious  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses, 

The  scorned,  defamed,  insulted,— but  the  excellent  of 
earth  ? 


series  ii.]  OF  NEGLECT.  269 

It  were  weariness  to  count  up  noble  names,  neglected  in 
their  lives, 

Whom  none  esteemed,  nor  cared  to  love,  till  death  had 
sealed  them  his. 

For  good  men  are  the  health  of  the  world,  valued  only  when 
it  perisheth, 

Like  water,  light,  and  air,  all  precious  in  their  absence. 

Who  hath  considered  the  blessing  of  his  breath,  till  the  poi- 
son of  an  asthma  struck  him  7 

Who  hath  regarded  the  just  pulses  of  his  heart,  till  spasm  or 
paralysis  have  stopped  them  7 

Even  thus,  an  unobserved  routine  of  daily  grace  and  wis- 
dom, 

When  no  more  here,  had  worship  of  a world,  whose  peni- 
tence atoned  for  its  neglect, 

And  living  genius  is  seen  among  infirmities,  wherefrom  the 
commoner  are  free  ; 

And  other  rival  men  of  mind  crowd  this  arena  of  contention ; 

And  there  be  many  cares  ; and  a man  knoweth  little  of  his 
brother  ; 

Feebly  we  appreciate  a motive,  and  slowly  keep  pace  with  a 
feeling ; 

And  social  difference  is  much ; and  experience  teacheth 
sadly, 

How  great  the  treachery  of  friends,  how  dangerous  the  cour- 
tesy of  enemies. 

So,  the  sum  of  all  these  things  operateth  largely  upon  all 
men, 

Hedging  us  about  with  thorns,  to  cramp  our  yearning  sym- 
pathies, 

And  we  grow  materialized  in  mind,  forgetting  what  we  see 
not, 

But,  immersed  in  perceptions  of  the  present,  keep  things 
absent  out  of  thought : 

Thus,  where  ingratitude,  and  guilt,  and  labor,  and  selfishness 
would  harden, 


23* 


270  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Humbly  will  the  good  man  bow,  unmurmuring,  to  Neglect. 

i Yet  once  more,  griever  at  neglect,  hear  me  to  thy  comfort, 
or  rebuke ; 

For,  after  all  thy  just  complaint,  the  world  is  full  of  love. 

O heart  of  childhood,  tender,  trusting,  and  affectionate, 

O youth,  warm  youth,  full  of  generous  attentions, 

O woman,  self-forgetting  woman,  poetry  of  human  life, 

And  not  less  thou,  O man,  so  often  the  disinterested  brother, 
Many  a smile  of  love,  many  a tear  of  pity, 

Many  a word  of  comfort,  many  a deed  of  magnanimity, 

Many  a stream  of  milk  and  honey  pour  ye  freely  on  the 
earth, 

And  many  a rosebud  of  love  rejoiceth  in  the  dew  of  your 
affection. 

Neglect"?  O liberal  world,  for  thine  are  many  prizes. 
Neglect"?  O charitable  world,  where  thousands  feed  on 
bounty  ; 

Neglect "?  O just  world,  for  thy  judgments  err  not  often  ; 
Neglect "?  O libel  on  a world,  where  half  that  world  is  wo- 
man ! 

Where  is  the  afflicted,  whose  voice,  once  heard,  stirreth  not 
a host  of  comforters  "? 

Where  is  the  sick  untended,  or  in  prison,  and  they  visited 
him  not  7 

The  hungry  is  fed,  and  the  thirsty  satisfied,  till  ability  set 
limits  to  the  will, 

And  those  who  did  it  unto  them,  have  done  it  unto  God  ! 

For  human  benevolence  is  large,  though  many  matters 
dwarf  it, 

Prudence,  ignorance,  imposture,  and  the  straitenings  of  cir- 
cumstance and  time. 

And  if  to  the  body,  so  to  the  mind,  the  mass  of  men  are 
generous  ; 

Their  estimate  who  know  us  best,  is  seldom  seen  to  err : 

Be  sure  the  fault  is  thine,  as  pride,  or  shallowness,  or  vanity, 


series  ii.]  OF  CONTENTMENT.  271 

If  all  aronnd  thee,  good  and  bad,  neglect  thy  seeming  merit : 

No  man  yet  deserved,  who  found  not  some  to  love  him  ; 

And  he  that  never  kept  a friend  need  only  blame  himself : 

Many  for  unworthiness  will  droop  and  die,  but  all  are  not 
unworthy ; 

It  must  indeed  be  cold  clay  soil  that  killeth  every  seed. 

Therefore  examine  thy  state,  O self-accounted  martyr  of 
Neglect, 

It  may  be,  thy  merit  is  a cubit,  and  thy  measure  thereof  a 
furlong : 

But  grant  it  greater  than  thy  thoughts,  and  grant  that  men 
thy  fellows, 

For  pleasure,  business,  or  interest,  misuse,  forget,  neglect 
thee, — 

Still  be  thou  conqueror  in  this,  the  consciousness  of  high 
deservings ; 

Let  it  suffice  thee  to  be  worthy ; faint  not  thou  for  praise  ; 

For  that  thou  art,  be  grateful ; go  humbly  even  in  thy  confi- 
dence ; 

And  set  thy  foot  upon  the  neck  of  an  enemy  so  harmless  as 
Neglect 


OF  CONTENTMENT. 

Godliness  with  Contentment, — these  be  the  pillars  of  feli- 
city, 

Jachin,  wherewithal  it  is  established,  and  Boaz,  in  the  which 
is  strength ; (U) 

And  upon  their  capitals  is  lily-work,  the  lotus  fruit  and 
flower, 

Those  fair  and  fragrant  types  of  holiness,  innocence,  and 
beauty ; 

Great  gain  pertaineth  to  the  pillars,  nets  and  chains  of 
wreathen  gold, 


272  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

And  they  stand  up  straight  in  the  temple  porch,  the  house 
where  Glory  dwelleth. 

The  body  crave th  meats,  and  the  spirit  is  athirst  for  peace- 
fulness ; 

He  that  hath  these,  hath  enough ; for  all  beyond  is  vanity. 

Surfeit  vaulteth  over  pleasure,  to  light  upon  the  hither  side 
of  pain ; 

And  great  store  is  great  care,  the  rather  if  it  mightily  in- 
creaseth. 

Albeit  too  little  is  a trouble,  yet  too  much  shall  swell  into  an 
evil, 

If  wisdom  stand  not  nigh  to  moderate  the  wishes : 

For  covetousness  never  had  enough,  but  moaneth  at  its  wants 
for  ever, 

And  rich  men  have  commonly  more  need  to  be  taught  con- 
tentment than  the  poor. 

That  hungry  chasm  in  their  market-place  gapeth  still  un- 
satisfied, 

Yea,  fling  in  all  the  wealth  of  Rome,— it  asketh  higher  vic- 
tims ; 

So,  when  the  miser’s  gold  cannot  fill  the  measure  of  his  lust, 

Curtius  must  leap  into  the  pit,  and  avarice  shall  close  upon 
his  life.  (,5) 

Behold  Independence  in  his  rags,  all  too  easily  contented. 

Careful  for  nothing,  thankful  for  much,  and  uncomplaining 
in  his  poverty : 

Such  an  one  have  I somewhile  seen  earn  his  crust  with 
gladness ; 

He  is  a gatherer  of  simples,  culling  wild  herbs  upon  the  hills : 

And  now,  as  he  sitteth  on  the  beach,  with  his  motherless 
child  beside  him, 

To  rest  them  in  the  cheerful  sun,  and  sort  their  mints  and 
horehound, — 


OF  CONTENTMENT. 


SERIES  II.] 


273 


Tell  me,  can  ye  find  upon  his  forehead  the  cloud  of  covetous 

anxiety, 

Or  note  the  dull  unkindled  eyes  of  sated  sons  of  pleasure  7 — 
For  there  is  more  joy  of  life  with  that  poor  picker  of  the 
ditches, 

Than  among  the  multitude  of  wealthy  who  wed  their  gains 
to  discontent. 


I have  seen  many  rich,  burdened  with  the  fear  of  poverty, 

I have  seen  many  poor  buoyed  with  all  the  carelessness  of 
wealth  ; 

For  the  rich  had  the  spirit  of  a pauper,  and  the  moneyless  a 
liberal  heart ; 

The  first  enjoyeth  not  for  having,  and  the  latter  hath  nothing 
but  enjoyment. 

None  is  poor  but  the  mean  in  mind,  the  timorous,  the  weak, 
and  unbelieving ; 

None  is  wealthy  but  the  affluent  in  soul,  who  is  satisfied  and 
floweth  over. 

The  poor-rich  is  attenuate  for  fears,  the  rich-poor  is  fattened 
upon  hopes ; 

Cheerfulness  is  one  man’s  welcome,  and  the  other  warneth 
him  by  his  gloom. 

Many  poor  have  the  pleasures  of  the  rich,  even  in  their  own 
possessions  ; 

And  many  rich  miss  the  poor  man’s  comforts,  and  yet  feel 
all  his  cares. 

Liberty  is  affluence,  and  the  Helots  of  anxiety  never  can  be 
counted  wealthy ; 

But  he  that  is  disenthralled  from  fear,  goeth  for  the  time  a 
king; 

He  is  royal,  great,  and  opulent,  living  free  of  fortune, 

And  looking  on  the  world  as  owner  of  its  good,  the  Maker’s 
child  and  heir : 

Whereas  the  covetous  is  slavish,  a very  Midas  in  his  avarice, 

Full  of  dismal  dreams,  and  starved  amongst  his  treasures  : 


274 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  il 


The  ceaseless  spur  of  discontent  goaded  him  with  instant 
apprehension, 

And  his  thirst  for  gold  could  never  be  quenched,  for  he  drank 
with  the  throat  of  Crassus.  (16) 

Vanity  and  dreary  disappointment,  care,  and  weariness,  and 
envy: 

Vanity  is  graven  upon  all  things  ; wisely  spake  the  preacher. 

For  ambition  is  a burning  mountain,  thrown  up  amid  the 
turbid  sea, 

A Stromboli  in  sullen  pride  above  the  hissing  waves ; 

And  the  statesman  climbing  there,  forgetful  of  his  patriot  in- 
tentions, 

Shall  hate  the  strife  of  each  rough  step,  or  ever  he  hath  toiled 
midway : 

And  every  truant  from  his  home,  the  happy  home  of  duty, 

Shall  live  to  loathe  his  eminence  of  cares,  that  seething 
smoke  and  lava. 

Contentment  is  the  temperate  repast,  flowing  with  milk  and 
honey ; 

Ambition  is  the  drunken  orgy,  fed  by  liquid  flames  : 

A black  and  bitter  frown  is  stamped  upon  the  forehead  of 
Ambition, 

But  fair  Contentment’s  angel-face  is  rayed  with  winning 
smiles. 

There  was  in  Tyre  a merchant,  the  favorite  child  of  fortune, 

An  opulent  man  with  many  ships,  to  trade  in  many  climes ; 

And  he  rose  up  early  to  his  merchandise,  after  feverish 
dreaming, 

And  lay  down  late  to  his  hot  unrest,  overwhelmed  with  cal- 
culated cares. 

So,  day  by  day,  and  month  by  month,  and  year  by  year,  he 
gained ; 

And  grew  grey,  and  waxed  great ; for  money  brought  him 
all  things. 

All  things  1 — verily  not  all ; the  kernel  of  the  nut  is  lacking, — 


series  ii.]  OF  CONTENTMENT.  275 

His  mind  was  a stranger  to  content,  and  as  for  peace  he  knew 
her  not: 

Luxuries  palled  upon  his  palate  and  his  eyes  were  satiate 
with  purple  ; 

He  could  coin  much  gold,  but  buy  no  happiness  with  it. 

And  on  a day,  a day  of  dread,  in  the  heat  of  inordinate  am- 
bition, 

When  he  threw  with  a gambler’s  hand,  to  lose  or  to  double 

his  possessions, 

The  chance  hit  him, — he  had  speculated  ill, — and  men  began 
to  whisper ; — 

Those  he  trusted,  failed ; and  their  usuries  had  bribed  him 
deeply : 

One  ship  foundered  out  at  sea, — and  another  met  the  pirate, — 

And  so,  with  broken  fortunes,  men  discreetly  shunned  him. 

He  was  a stricken  stag,  and  went  to  hide  away  in  solitude, 

And  there  in  humility,  he  thought, — he  resolved,  and 
promptly  acted : 

From  the  wreck  of  all  his  splendors,  from  the  dregs  of  the 
goblet  of  affluence, 

He  saved  with  management  a morsel  and  a drop,  for  his 
daily  cup  and  platter : 

And  lo,  that  little  was  enough  and  in  enough  was  competence : 

His  cares  were  gone, — he  slept  by  night,  and  lived  at  peace 
by  day ; 

Cured  of  his  guilty  selfishness, — money’s  love,  envy,  compe- 
tition,— 

He  lived  to  be  thankful  in  a cottage  that  he  had  lost  a palace : 

For  he  found  in  his  abasement,  what  he  had  vainly  sought  in 
high  estate, 

Both  mind  and  body  well  at  ease,  though  robed  in  the  russet 
of  the  lowly. 

Once  more  , a certain  priest,  happy  in  his  high  vocation, 

With  faith,  and  hope,  and  charity  well  served  his  village 
altar ; 


276  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

As  men  count  riches,  he  was  poor ; but  great  were  his  trea- 
sures in  heaven, 

And  great  his  joys  on  earth,  for  God’s  sake  doing  good  : 

He  had  few  cares  and  many  consolations,  one  of  the  welcome 
everywhere ; , 

The  laborer  accounted  him  his  friend,  and  magnates  did  him 
honor  at  their  table  : 

With  a large  heart  and  little  means  he  still  made  many 
grateful, 

And  felt  as  the  centre  of  a circle,  of  calmness,  and  content. 

But  on  a weaker  sabbath, — for  he  preached  both  well  and 
wisely, — 

Some  casual  hearer  loudly  praised  his  great  neglected  talents : 

Why  should  he  be  buried  in  obscurity,  and  throw  these 
pearls  to  swine  1 

Could  he  not  still  be  doing  good, — the  whilst  he  pushed  his 
fortunes  1 

Then  came  temptation,  even  on  the  spark  of  discontent ; 

The  neighboring  town  had  a pulpit  to  be  filled : hotly  did  he 
canvass  and  won  it : 

Now  was  he  popular  and  courted  and  listened  to  the  spell  of 
admiration, 

And  toiled  to  please  the  taste,  rather  than  to  pierce  the  con- 
science 

Greedily  he  sought,  and  seeking  found,  the  patronizing  notice 
of  the  great; 

He  thirsted  for  emoluments  and  honors,  and  counted  rich 
men  happy : 

So  he  flattered,  so  he  preached  ; and  gold  and  fame  flowed  in  ; 

They  flowed  in, — he  was  reaping  his  reward, — and  felt  him- 
self a fool. 

Alas,  what  a shadow  was  he  following, — how  precious  was 
the  substance  he  had  left ! 

Man  for  God,  gold  for  good,  this  was  his  miserable  bargain, 

The  village  church,  its  humble  flock,  and  humbler  parish 
priest, 


SERIES.  II.] 


OF  LIFE. 


277 


Zeal,  devotion,  and  approving  heaven, — his  books  and  simple 
life, 

His  little  farm  and  flower  beds, — his  recreative  rambles  with 
a friend, 

And  haply  at  eventide  the  leaping  trouts,  to  help  their  hum- 
ble fare, — 

All  these  wretchedly  exchanged  for  what  the  world  called 
fortune, 

With  the  harrowing  conscience  of  a state  relapsed  to  vain 
ambitions. 

Then, — for  God  was  gracious  to  his  soul,  his  better  thoughts 
returned, 

And  better  aims  with  better  thoughts,  his  holy  walk  of  old. 

Sickened  of  style,  and  ostentation,  and  the  dissipative  fash- 
ions of  society. 

He  deserted  from  the  ranks  of  Mammon,  and  renewed  his 
allegiance  to  God : 

For  he  found  that  the  praises  of  men,  and  all  that  gold  can 
give, 

Are  not  worthy  to  be  named  against  godliness  and  calm 
contentment. 


OF  LIFE. 

A child  was  playing  in  a garden,  a merry  little  child, 

Bounding  with  triumphant  health  and  full  of  happy  fancies ; 

His  kite  was  floating  in  the  sunshine, — but  he  tied  the  string 
to  a twig, 

And  ran  among  the  roses  to  catch  a new-born  butterfly ; 

His  horn-book  lay  upon  a bank,  but  the  pretty  truant  hid  it 

Buried  up  in  gathered  grass,  and  moss,  and  sweet  wild- 
thyme  ; 

He  launched  a paper  boat  upon  the  fountain, — then  wayward 
turned  aside, 


24 


278  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

To  twine  some  vagrant  jessamines  about  the  dripping  mar- 
ble : 

So,  in  various  pastime,  shadowing  the  schemes  of  manhood, 
That  curly-headed  boy  consumed  the  golden  hours  : 

And  I blessed  his  glowing  face,  envying  the  merry  little  child, 
As  he  shouted  with  the  ecstasy  of  being,  clapping  his  hands 
for  joyfulness : 

For  I said,  Surely,  O Life,  thy  name  is  happiness  and  hope, 
Thy  days  are  bright,  thy  flowers  are  sweet,  and  pleasure  the 
condition  of  thy  gift. 

A youth  was  walking  in  the  moonlight,  walking  not  alone, 
For  a fair  and  gentle  maid  leant  on  his  trembling  arm  : 

Their  whispering  was  still  of  beauty,  and  the  light  of  love 
was  in  their  eyes, 

Their  twin  young  hearts  had  not  a thought  unvowed  to  love 
and  beauty : 

The  stars,  and  the  sleeping  world,  and  the  guardian  eye  of 
God, 

The  murmur  of  the  distant  waterfall,  and  nightingales  war- 
bling in  the  thicket, 

Sweet  speech  of  years  to  come,  and  promises  of  fondest  hope, 
And  more,  a present  gladness  in  each  other’s  trust ; 

All  these  fed  their  souls  with  the  hidden  manna  of  affection, 
While  their  faces  shone  beatified  in  the  radiance  of  reflected 
Eden : 

I gazed  on  that  fond  youth,  and  coveted  his  heart, 

Attuned  to  holiest  symphonies,  with  music  in  its  strings  ; 

For  I said,  Surely,  O Life,  thy  name  is  love  and  beauty, 

Thy  joys  are  full,  thy  looks  most  fair,  thy  feelings  pure  and 
sensitive. 

A man  sat  beside  his  merchandise,  a careworn  altered  man, 
His  waking  hope,  his  nightly  fear,  were  money  and  its 
losses : 

Rarely  was  the  laugh  upon  his  cheek,  except  in  bitter  scorn, 


series  ii.]  OF  LIFE.  279 

For  his  foolishness  of  heart,  and  the  lie  of  its  romance, 
counting  Love  a treasure. 

His  talk  is  of  stern  Reality,  chilling,  unimaginative  facts, 

The  dull  material  accidents  of  thfs  sensual  body ; 

Lucreless  honor  were  contemptible,  impoverished  affection 
but  a pauper’s  riches, 

Duty,  struggling  unrewarded,  the  bargain  of  a cheated  fool ; 

The  market  value  of  a fancy  must  be  measured  by  the  gain 
it  bringeth, 

No  man  is  fed  or  clothed  by  fame,  or  love,  or  duty  : — 

So  toiled  he  day  by  day,  that  cold  and  joyless  man ; 

I gazed  upon  his  haggard  face  and  sorrowed  for  the  change  : 

For  I said,  Surely,  O Life,  thy  name  is  care  and  weariness, 

Thy  soil  is  parched,  thy  winds  are  fierce,  and  the  suns  above 
thee  hardening. 

A withered  elder  lay  upon  his  bed,  a desolate  man  and 
feeble ; 

His  thoughts  were  of  the  past,  the  early  past,  the  bygone 
days  of  youth : 

Bitterly  repented  he  the  years  stolen  by  the  god  of  this 
world : 

Remembering  the  maiden  of  his  love,  and  the  heart-stricken 
wife  of  his  selfishness. 

For  the  sunshiny  morning  of  life  came  again  to  him  a vivid 
truth, 

But  the  years  of  toil  as  a long  dim  dream,  a cloudy  blighted 
noon : 

He  saw  the  nutting  schoolboy,  but  forgat  the  speculative 
merchant ; 

The  callous,  calculating  husband  was  shamed  by  the  gene- 
rous lover ; 

He  knew  that  the  weeds  of  worldliness,  and  the  smoky 
breath  of  Mammon, 

Had  choked  and  killed  those  tender  shoots,  his  yearnings 
after  honor  and  affection : 


280  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

So  was  he  sick  at  heart,  and  my  pity  strove  to  cheer  him, 

But  a deep  and  dismal  gulf  lay  between  comfort  and  his 
soul. 

Then  I said,  Surely,  O Life,  thy  name  is  vanity  and  sorrow, 

Thy  storms  at  noon  are  many,  and  thine  eventide  is  clouded 
by  remorse. 

Now,  when  I thought  upon  these  things,  my  heart  was 
grieved  within  me : 

I wept  with  bitterness  of  speech,  and  these  were  the  words 
of  my  complaining : 

“ Wherefore  then  must  happiness  and  love  wither  into  care 
and  vanity, — 

Wherefore  is  the  bud  so  beautiful,  but  flower  and  fruit  so 
blighted  1 

Hard  is  the  lot  of  man  ; to  be  lured  by  the  meteor  of  romance, 

Only  to  be  snared,  and  to  sink,  in  the  turbid  mudpool  of 
reality.” 

Suddenly,  a light, — and  a rushing  presence, — and  a con- 
sciousness of  something  near  me, — 

I trembled,  and  listened,  and  prayed : then  I knew  the  Angel 
of  Life : 

Vague,  and  dimly  visible,  mine  eye  could  not  behold  him, 

As,  calmly  unimpassioned,  he  looked  upon  an  erring  crea- 
ture : 

Unseen,  my  spirit  apprehended  him ; though  he  spake  not, 
yet  I heard ; 

For  a sympathetic  communing  with  him  flashed  upon  my 
mind  electric. 

Pensioner  of  God,  be  grateful ; the  gift  of  Life  is  good : 

The  life  of  heart,  and  life  of  soul,  mingled  with  life  for  the 
body. 

Gladness  and  beauty  are  its  just  inheritance, — the  beauty 
thou  hast  counted  for  romance  : 


■kries  ii. j OF  LIFE.  i281 

And  guardian  spirits  weep  that  selfishness  and  sorrow  should 
destroy  it. 

Thou  hast  seen  the  natural  blessing  marred  into  a curse  by 
man ; . 

Come  then,  in  favor  will  I show  thee  the  proper  excellence 
of  life. 

Keep  thou  purity,  and  watch  against  suspicion, — love  shall 
never  perish  ; 

Guard  thine  innocency  spotless,  and  the  buoyancy  of  child- 
hood shall  remain. 

Sweet  ideals  feed  the  soul,  thoughts  of  loveliness  delight  it, 

The  chivalrous  affection  of  uncalculating  youth  lacketh  not 
honorable  wisdom. 

Charge  not  folly  on  invisibles,  that  render  thee  happier  and 
purer, 

The  fair  frail  visions  of  Romance  have  a use  beyond  the 
maxims  of  the  Real. 

Behold,  a patriarch  of  years,  who  leaneth  on  the  staff-  of 
religion ; 

His  heart  is  fresh,  quick  to  feel,  a bursting  fount  of  generosity ; 

He,  playful  in  his  wisdom,  is  gladdened  in  his  children’s 
gladness. 

He,  pure  in  his  experience,  loveth  in  his  son’s  first  love : 

Lofty  aspirations,  deep  affections,  holy  hopes  are  his  delight ; 

His  abhorrence  is  to  strip  from  Life  its  charitable  garment  of 
Ideal. 

The  cold  and  callous  sneerer,  who  heedeth  of  the  merely 
practical, 

And  mocketh  at  good  uses  in  imaginary  things,  that  man  is 
his  scorn : 

The  hard  unsympathizing  modern,  filled  with  facts  and 
figures, 

Cautious,  and  coarse,  and  materialized  in  mind,  that  man  is 
his  pity. 

Passionate  thirst  for  gain  never  hath  burnt  within  his  bosom, 
24* 


282  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

The  leaden  chains  of  that  dull  lust  have  not  bound  him 
prisoner : 

The  shrewd  world  laughed  at  him  for  honesty,  the  vain 
world  mouthed  at  him  for  honor, 

The  false  world  hated  him  for  truth,  the  cold  world  despised 
him  for  affection : 

Still,  he  kept  his  treasure,  the  warm  and  noble  heart, 

And  in  that  happy  wise  old  man  survive  the  child  and  lover. 

For  human  life  is  as  Chian  wine,  flavored  unto  him  who 
drinketh  it, 

Delicate  fragrance  comforting  the  soul,  as  needful  substance 
for  the  body : 

Therefore,  see  thou  art  pure  and  guileless  ; so  shall  thy  Reali- 
ties of  Life 

Be  sweetened,  and  tempered,  and  gladdened  by  the  whole- 
some spirit  of  Romance. 


Dost  thou  live,  man,  dost  thou  live, — or  only  breathe  and 
labor  7 

Art  thou  free,  or  enslaved  to  a routine,  the  daily  machinery 
of  habit  7 

For  one  man  is  quickened  into  Life,  where  thousands  exist 
as  in  a torpor, 

Feeding,  toiling,  sleeping,  an  insensate  weary  round : 

The  plough,  or  the  ledger,  or  the  trade,  with  animal  cares 
and  indolence, 

Make  the  mass  of  vital  years  a heavy  lump  unleavened, 

Drowsily  lie  down  in  thy  dullness,  fettered  with  the  irons  of 
circumstance, 

Thou  wilt  not  wake  to  think  and  feel  a minute  in  a month. 

The  epitome  of  common  life  is  seen  in  the  common  epitaph, 

Born  on  such  a day,  and  dead  on  such  another,  with  an 
interval  of  threescore  years. 

For  time  hath  been  wasted  on  the  senses,  to  the  hourly 
diminishing  of  spirit ; 


OF  LIFE. 


283 


SERIES  II.] 

Lean  is  the  soul  and  pineth,  in  the  midst  of  ab  indance  for 
the  body : 

He  forgat  the  worlds  to  which  he  tended,  and  a creature’s  true 
nobility, 

Nor  wished  that  hope  and  wholesome  fear  should  stir  him 
from  his  hardened  satisfaction. 

And  this  is  death  in  life ; to  be  sunk  beneath  the  waters  of 
the  Actual, 

Without  one  feebly-struggling  sense  of  an  airier  spiritual 
realm : 

Affection,  fancy,  feeling — dead  ; imagination,  conscience, 
faith, 

All  wilfully  expunged,  till  they  leave  he  man  mere  carcase. 

See  thou  livest,  whiles  thou  art : fo.  heart  must  live,  and 
soul, 

But  care  and  sloth  and  sin  and  self,  combine  to  kill  that  life. 

A man  will  grow  to  an  automaton,  an  appendage  to  the 
counter  or  the  desk, 

If  mind  and  spirit  be  not  roused  to  raise  the  plodding  gro- 
veller. 

Then  praise  God  for  sabbaths,  for  books,  and  dreams,  and 
pains, 

For  the  recreative  face  of  nature,  and  the  kindling  charities 
of  home : 

And  remember,  thou  that  laborest, — thy  leisure  is  not  loss, 

If  it  help  to  expose  and  undermine  that  solid  falsehood,  the 
Material. 

Life  is  a strange  avenue  of  various  trees  and  flowers ; 

Lightsome  at  commencement,  but  darkening  to  its  end  in  a 
distant  massy  portal. 

It  beginneth  as  a little  path,  edged  with  the  violet  and  prim- 
rose, 

A little  path  of  lawny  grass,  and  soft  to  tiny  feet : 

Soon,  spring  thistles  in  the  way,  those  early  griefs  of  school, 

And  fruit-trees  ranged  on  either  hand  show  holiday  delights : 


284  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Anon,  the  rose  and  the  mimosa  hint  at  sensitive  affection, 
And  vipers  hide  among  the  grass,  and  briars  are  woven  in 
the  hedges : 

Shortly,  staked  along  in  order,  stand  the  slender  saplings, 
While  hollow  hemlock  and  tall  ferns  fill  the  frequent  inter- 
val : 

So  advancing,  quaintly  mixed,  majestic  line  the  way 
Sturdy  oaks,  and  vigorous  elms,  the  beech  and  forest-pine  : 
And  here  the  road  is  rough  with  rocks,  wide,  and  scant  of 
herbage, 

The  sun  is  hot  in  heaven,  and  the  ground  is  cleft  and 
parched : 

And  many-times  a hoi!  iw-trunk,  decayed  or  lightning  scathed, 
Or  in  its  deadly  solitu  e,  the  melancholy  upas  : 

But  soon,  with  closer  ranks,  are  set  the  sentinel  trees, 

And  darker  shadows  hover  amongst  Autumn’s  mellow  tints  : 
Ever  and  anon,  a holly,— junipers,  and  cypresses,  and  yews  ; 
The  soil  is  damp  : the  air  is  chill ; night  cometh  on  apace  : 
Speed  to  the  portal,  traveller lo,  there  is  a moon, 

With  smiling  light  to  guide  thee  safely  through  the  dreadful 
shade : 

Hark,— that  hollow  knock,— behold,  the  warder  openeth, 
The  gate  is  gaping,  and  for  thee ;— those  are  the  jaws  of 
Death ! 


yL 

OF  DEATH. 

Keep  silence,  daughter  of  frivolity,— for  Death  is  in  that 
chamber ! 

Startle  not  with  echoing  sound  the  strangely  solemn  peace, 
Death  is  here  in  spirit,  watcher  of  a marble  corpse,— 

That  eye  is  fixed,  that  heart  is  still,— how  dreadful  in  its 
stillness ! 

Death,  new  tenant  of  the  house,  pervadeth  all  the  fabric  ; 


OF  DEATH. 


SERIES  II.] 


285 


He  waiteth  at  the  head,  and  he  standeth  at  the  feet,  and 
hideth  in  the  caverns  of  the  breast : 

Death,  subtle  leech,  hath  anatomized  soul  from  body, 
Dissecting  well  in  every  nerve  its  spirit  from  its  substance ; 
Death,  rigid  lord,  hath  claimed  the  heriot  clay, 

While  joyously  the  youthful  soul  hath  gone  to  take  his 
heritage ; 

Death,  cold  usurer,  hath  seized  his  bonded  debtor ; 

Death,  savage  despot,  hath  caught  his  forfeit  serf ; 

Death,  blind  foe,  wreaketh  petty  vengeance  on  the  flesh ; 
Death,  fell  cannibal,  gloateth  on  his  victim, 

And  carrieth  it  with  him  to  the  grave,  that  dismal  banquet- 
hall, 

Where  in  foul  state  the  Royal  Ghoul  holdeth  secret  orgies. 


Hide  it  up,  hide  it  up,  draw  the  decent  curtain : 

Hence ! curious  fool,  and  pry  not  on  corruption : 

' For  the  fearful  mysteries  of  change  are  being  there  enacted, 

And  many  actors  play  their  part  on  that  small  stage,  the 
tomb. 

Leave  the  clay,  that  leprous  thing,  touch  not  the  fleshly  gar 
ment : 

Dust  to  dust,  it  mingleth  well  among  the  sacred  soil : 

It  is  scattered  by  the  winds,  it  is  wafted  by  the  waves,  it 
mixeth  with  herbs  and  cattle, 

But  God  hath  watched  those  morsels,  and  hath  guided  them 
in  care : 

Each  waiting  soul  must  claim  his  own,  when  the  archangel 
soundeth, 

And  all  the  fields,  and  all  the  hills,  shall  move  a mass  of  life ; 

Bodies  numberless,  crowding  on  the  land,  and  covering  the 
trampled  sea, 

Darkening  the  air  precipitate,  and  gathered  scatheless  from 
the  fire ; 

The  Himalayan  peaks  shall  yield  their  charge,  and  the  deso- 
late steppes  of  Siberia, 


286  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

The  Maelstrom  disengulf  its  spoil,  and  the  iceberg  manumit 
its  captive : 

All  shall  teem  with  life,  the  converging  fragments  of  human- 
ity, 

Till  every  conscious  essence  greet  his  individual  frame ; 

For  in  some  dignified  similitude,  alike,  yet  different  in  glory, 
This  body  shall  be  shaped  anew,  fit  dwelling  for  the  soul : 
The  hovel  hath  grown  to  a palace,  the  bulb  hath  burst  into 
the  flower, 

Matter  hath  put  on  incorruption,  and  is  at  peace  with  spirit. 

Amen, — and  so  it  shall  be  : — but  now  the  scene  is  drear, — 
Yea,  though  promises  and  hope  strive  to  cheat  its  sadness  ; 
Full  of  grief,  though  faith  herself  is  strong  to  speed  the  soul, 
For  the  partner  of  its  toil  is  left  behind  to  endure  an  ordeal 
of  change. 

Dear  partner,  dear  and  frail,  my  loved  though  humble 
home, 

Should  I cast  thee  off  without  a pang,  as  a garment  flung 
aside  7 

Many  years,  for  joy  and  sorrow,  have  I dwelt  in  thee, 

How  shall  I be  reckless  of  thy  weal,  nor  hope  for  thy  per- 
fection 7 

This  also,  He  that  lent  thee  for  my  uses  in  mortality, 

Shall  well  fulfil  with  boundless  praise  on  that  returning  day : 
Behold,  thou  shalt  be  glorified  ; thou,  mine  abject  friend, — 
And  should  I meanly  scorn  thy  state,  until  it  rise  to  great- 
ness 7 

Far  be  it,  O my  soul,  from  thine  expectant  essence, 

To  be  heedless,  if  indignity  or  folly  desecrate  those  thine 
ashes : 

Keep  them  safe  with  careful  love ; and  let  the  mound  be 
holy ; 

And,  thou  that  passest  by,  revere  the  waiting  dead. 


Naples  sitteth  by  the  sea,  keystone  of  an  arch  of  azure, 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  DEATH. 


287 


Crowned  by  consenting  nations  peerless  queen  of  gaiety  : 

She  laugheth  at  the  wrath  of  Ocean,  she  mocketh  the  fury 
of  Vesuvius, 

She  spurneth  disease  and  misery  and  famine,  that  crowd  her 
sunny  streets : 

The  giddy  dance,  the  merry  song,  the  festal  glad  procession. 
The  noonday  slumber  and  the  midnight  serenade, — all  these 
make  up  her  Life  : 

Her  Life  1 — and  what  her  Death  7 — look  we  to  the  end  of 
life, — 

Solon,  and  Tellus  the  Athenian,  wisely  have  ye  pointed  to 
the  grave, 

For  behold  yon  dreary  precinct, — those  hundreds  of  stone 
wells, — (17) 

A pit  for  a day,  a pit  for  a day, — a pit  to  be  sealed  for  a year : 
And  in  the  gloom  of  night  they  raise  the  year-closed  lid, — 
Look  in, — for  gnawing  lime  hath  half  consumed  the  carcases  f 
Thus,  they  hurl  the  daily  dead  into  that  horrible  pit, 

The  dead  that  only  died  this  day, — an  unconsidered  offal! 
There,  a stark  white  heap,  unwept,  unloved,  uncared  for, 

Old  men  and  maidens,  young  men  and  infants,  mingle  in 
hideous  corruption : 

Fling  in  the  gnawing  lime, — seal  up  the  charnel  for  a year ; 
For  lo,  a morrow’s  dawn  hath  tinged  the  mountain  summit. 
O fair  false  city,  thou  gay  and  gilded  harlot, 

Woe,  for  thy  wanton  heart,  woe,  for  thy  wicked  hardness  ! 
Woe  unto  thee,  that,  the  lightsomeness  of  Life,  beneath 
Italian  suns, 

Should  meet  the  solemnity  of  Death,  in  a sepulchre  so  foul 
and  fearful. 

For  that,  even  to  the  best,  the  wise  and  pure  and  pious, 
Death,  repulsive  king,  thine  iron  rule  is  terrible : 

Yea,  and  even  at  the  best,  in  company  of  buried  kindred, 
With  hallowing  rites,  and  friendly  tears,  and  the  dear  old 
country  church, 


288 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [shies  ii. 


Death,  cold  and  lonely,  thy  frigid  face  is  hateful, 

The  bravest  look  on  thee  with  dread,  the  humblest  curse  thy 
coming. 

Still,  ye  unwise  among  mankind,  your  foolishness  hath  added 
fears  ; 

The  crowded  cemetery,  the  catacomb  of  bones,  the  pestilen- 
tial vault, 

With  fancy’s  gliding  ghost  at  eve,  her  moans  and  flaky  foot- 
falls, 

And  the  gibbering  train  of  terror  to  fright  your  coward  hearts. 

We  speak  not  here  of  sin,  nor  the  phantoms  of  a bloody  con- 
science, 

Nor  of  solaces,  and  merciful  pardon ; we  heed  but  the  inevi- 
table grave ; 

The  grave,  that  wage  of  guilt,  that  due  return  to  dust, 

The  grave,  that  goal  of  earth,  and  starting  post  for  heaven. 

Plant  it  with  K’Aas,  sprinkle  it  set  it  upon  yon- 

der dewy  hill 

Midst  holy  prayers,  and  generous  grief,  and  consecrating 
blessings : 

Let  Sophocles  sleep  among  his  ivy,  green  perennial  gar- 
lands, (18) 

Let  olives  shade  their  Virgil,  and  roses  bloom  above  Co- 
rinne ; 

To  his  foster-mother,  Ocean,  intrust  the  mariner  in  hope, 

The  warrior’s  spirit,  let  it  rise  on  high,  from  the  flaming  fra- 
grant pyre. 

But  help  not  coffins  and  corruption  to  infect  the  mass  of 
living, 

Nor  steal  from  odious  realities  the  charitable  poetry  of  Death : 

It  is  wise  to  gild  uncomeliness,  it  is  wise  to  mask  necessity, 

It  is  wise  from  cheerful  sights  and  sounds  to  draw  their  gen- 
tle uses ; 

Hide  the  facts,  the  bitter  facts,  the  foul  and  fearful  facts; 

Tend  the  body  well  in  hope,  this  were  praise  and  wisdom. 


series  ii.]  OF  DEATH.  289 

But  to  plunge  in  gloom  the  parting  soul,  that  hath  loved  its 
clay  tenement  so  long, 

This  were  vanity  and  folly,  the  counsel  of  inoroseness  and 
despair. 

Not  thus,  the  Scythian  of  old  time  welcomed  Death  with 
songs  ; 

Not  thus,  the  shrewd  Egyptian  decorated  Death  with  bra- 
veries : 

Not  thus  on  his  funeral  tower  sleepeth  the  sun  worshipping 
Parsee  ; 

Not  thus  the  Moslem  saint  lieth  in  his  arabesque  mauso- 
leum ; 

Not  thus,  the  wild  red  Indian,  hunter  of  the  far  Missouri, 

In  flowering  trees  hath  nested  up  his  forest-loving  ances- 
try ; (*) 

Not  thus,  the  Switzer  mountaineer  scattereth  ribboned  gar- 
lands 

About  the  rustic  cross  that  halloweth  the  bed  of  his  beloved; 

Not  thus,  the  village  maiden  wisheth  she  may  die  in  spring, 

With  store  of  violets  and  cowslips  to  be  sprinkled  on  her 
snow-white  shroud ; 

Not  thus,  the  dying  poet  asketh  a cheerful  grave, — 

Lay  him  in  the  sunshine,  friends,  nor  sorrow  that  a Christian 
hath  departed ! 

Yea,  it  is  the  poetry  of  Death,  an  Orpheus  gladdening  Hades, 

To  care  with  mindful  love  for  all  so  dear — and  dead  ; 

To  think  of  them  in  hope,  to  look  for  them  in  joy,  and — but 
for  its  simple  vanity, — 

To  pray  with  all  the  earnestness  of  nature  for  souls  who 
cannot  change. 

For  the  tree  is  felled,  and  boughed,  and  bare,  and  the  Measu- 
rer standeth  with  his  line : 

The  chance  is  gone  for  ever,  and  is  past  the  reach  of  prayer: 

For  men  and  angels,  good  and  ill,  have  rendered  all  their 
witness ; 

14 


290  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

The  trial  is  over,  the  jury  are  gone  in,  and  none  can  now  be 
heard ; 

Well  they  are  agreed  upon  the  verdict,  just,  and  fixt,  and 
final, 

And  the  sentence  showeth  clear  before  the  judge  hath 
spoken : 

Now — while  resting  matter  is  at  peace  within  the  tomb, 

The  conscious  spirit  watcheth  in  unspeakable  suspense ; 

Racked  with  a fearful  looking  forward,  or  blissfully  feeding 
on  the  foretaste, 

Waiting  souls  in  eager  expectation  pass  the  solemn  interval: 

They  slumber  not  at  death,  but  awaken,  quickened  to  the 
terror  of  the  judgment ; 

They  lie  not  insensate  among  darkness,  but  exult,  looking  to 
the  light. 

Id'otey,  brightening  on  the  instant,  when  that  veil  is  torn, 

Is  gr,  ’eful  that  his  torpor  here  hath  left  him  as  an  innoeent ; 

The  young  child,  stricken  as  he  played,  and  guileless  babes 
unborn, 

Freed  from  fetters  of  the  flesh,  burst  into  mind  immediate  : 

Madness  judgeth  wisely,  and  the  visions  of  the  lunatic  are 
gone, 

And  each  hasteneth  to  praise  the  mercy  that  made  him  irre- 
sponsible. 

For  soul  is  one,  though  manifold  in  act,  working  the  ma- 
chinery of  brain, , 

Reason,  fancy,  conscience,  passion,  are  but  varying  phases  ; 

If,  in  God’s  wise  purpose,  the  machine  were  shattered  or 
confused, 

Still  is  soul  the  same,  though  it  exhibit  with  a difference  ; 

Therefore,  dissipate  the  brain,  and  set  its  inmate  free, 

Behold,  the  maniacs  and  embryos  stand  in  their  place  intelli- 
gent. 

That  solvent  eateth  away  all  dross,  leaving  the  gold  intact: 

Matter  lingereth  in  the  retort,  spirit  hath  flown  to  the  re- 
ceiver : 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  DEATH. 


291 


And  lo,  that  recipient  of  the  spirits,  it  is  some  aerial  world, 
An  oasis  midway  on  the  desert  space,  separating  earth  from 
heaven, 

A prison-house  for  essences  incorporate,  a limbus  vague  and 
wild, 

Tartarus  for  evil,  and  Paradise  for  good,  that  intermediate 
Hades. 

O Death,  what  art  thou  7 a Lawgiver  that  never  altereth, 
Fixing  the  consummating  seal,  whereby  the  deeds  of  life 
become  established ; 

O Death,  what  art  thou  7 a stern  and  silent  usher, 

Leading  to  the  judgment  for  Eternity,  after  the  trial  scene  of 
Time ; 

O Death,  what  art  thou  7 an  husbandman  that  reapeth  al- 
ways, 

Out  of  season,  as  in  season,  with  the  sickle  in  his  hand  : 

O Death,  what  art  thou  7 the  shadow  unto  every  substance, 
In  the  bower  as  in  the  battle,  haunting  night  and  day. 

O Death,  what  art  thou  7 nurse  of  dreamless  slumbers, 
Freshening  the  fevered  flesh  to  a wakefulness  eternal : 

O Death,  what  art  thou  7 strange  and  solemn  alchymist, 
Elaborating  life’s  elixir  from  these  clayey  crucibles : 

O Death  what  art  thou  7 antitype  of  nature’s  marvels. 

The  seed  and  dormant  chrysalis  bursting  into  energy  and 
glory. 

Thou  calm  safe  anchorage  for  the  shattered  hulls  of  men, — 
Thou  spot  of  gelid  shade,  after  the  hot-breathed  desert, — 
Thou  silent  waiting  hall,  where  Adam  meeteth  with  his 
children, — 

How  full  of  dread,  how  full  of  hope  loometh  inevitable 
Death  : 

Of  dread,  for  all  have  sinned  ; of  hope,  for  One  hath  saved : 
The  dread  is  drowned  in  joy,  the  hope  is  filled  with  immor- 
tality ! 

—Pass  along,  pilgrim  of  life,  go  to  thy  grave  unfearing, 


292  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

The  terrors  are  but  shadows  now  that  haunt  the  vale  of 
Death. 


OF  IMMORTALITY. 

Gird  up  thy  mind  to  contemplation,  trembling  inhabitant  of 
earth ; 

Tenant  of  a hovel  for  a day, — thou  art  heir  of  the  universe 
for  ever ! 

For,  neither  congealing  of  the  grave,  nor  gulfing  waters  of  the 
firmament, 

Nor  expansive  airs  of  heaven,  nor  dissipative  fires  of  Ge- 
henna, 

Nor  rust  of  rest,  nor  Wear,  nor  waste,  nor  loss,  nor  chance, 
nor  change, 

Shall  avail  to  quench  or  overwhelm  the  spark  of  soul  within 
thee ! 

Thou  art  an  imperishable  leaf  on  the  evergreen  bay-tree  of 
Existence ; 

A word  from  Wisdom’s  mouth,  that  cannot  be  unspoken ; 

A ray  of  Love’s  own  light ; a drop  in  Mercy’s  sea : 

A creature,  marvellous  and  fearful,  begotten  by  the  fiat  of 
Omnipotence. 

I,  that  speak  in  weakness,  and  ye,  that  hear  in  charity, 

Shall  not  cease  to  live  and  feel,  though  flesh  must  see  cor 
ruption : 

For  the  prison-gates  of  matter  shall  be  broken,  and  the  shack- 
led soul  go  free, 

Free  for  good  or  ill,  to  satisfy  its  appetence  for  ever : 

For  evil, — dreadful  doom,  to  be  hurried  on  eternally  to  evil, — 

For  ever,  happy  fate,  to  ripen  into  perfectness — for  ever  ! 

And  is  there  a thought  within  thy  heart,  O slave  of  sin  and 
fear, 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  IMMORTALITY. 


293 


A black  and  harmful  hope,  that  erring  spirit  dieth  7 

That  primal  disobedience  hath  ensured  the  death  of  soul, 

And  separate  evil  sealed  it  thine — thy  curse  Annihilation  7 

Heed  thou  this  ; there  is  a Sacrifice  ; the  Maker  is  Redeemer 
of  his  creature ; 

Freely  unto  each,  universally  to  all,  is  restored  the  privilege 
of  essence : 

Whether  unto  grace  or  guilt,  all  must  live  through  Him, 

Live  in  vital  joy,  or  live  in  dying  woe : 

Death  in  Adam,  life  in  Christ ; the  curse  hung  upon  the 
cross  : 

Who  art  thou  that  heedest  of  redemption,  as  narrower  than 
the  fall  1 

All  were  dead, — He  died  for  all ; that  living,  they  might  love ; 

If  living  souls  withhold  their  love, — still,  He  hath  died  for 
them. 

Eve  stole  the  knowledge ; Christ  gave  the  life  ; 

Knowledge  and  life  are  the  perquisites  of  soul,  the  privilege 
of  man : 

Mercy  stepped  between,  and  stayed  the  double  theft ; 

God  gave  ; and  giving,  bought ; and  buying,  asketh  love  : 

And  in  such  asking  rendereth  bliss,  to  all  that  hear  and 
answer, 

For  love  with  life  is  heaven  ; and  life  unloving,  hell. 


Creature  of  God,  his  will  is  for  thy  weal,  eternally  pro- 
gressing , 

Fear  not  to  trust  a Maker’s  love,  nor  a Saviour’s  ransom : 

He  drank  for  all, — for  thee,  and  me, — the  poison  of  our 
deeds  : 

We  shall  not  die,  but  live, — and,  of  his  grace,  we  love  ! 

For,  in  the  mysteries  of  Mercy,  the  One  fore-knowing  Spirit 
Outstrippeth  Reason’s  halting  choice,  and  winneth  men  to 
Him : 

Who  shall  sound  the  depths  1 whO'Shall  reach  the  heights  7 


294  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Freedom,  in  the  gyves  of  fate  ; and  sovereignty,  reconciled 
with  justice. 

If  then,  as  annihilate  by  sin,  the  soul  was  ever  forfeit, 
Godhead  paid  the  mighty  price,  the  pledge  hath  been  re- 
deemed : 

He,  from  the  waters  of  Oblivion  raised  the  drowning  race, 
Lifting  them  even  to  Himself,  the  baseless  Rock  of  Ages. 
None  can  escape  from  Adam’s  guilt,  or  second  Adam’s 
guerdon : ^ 

Sin  and  death  are  thine  ; thine  also  is  interminable  being : 
Let  it  be  even  as  thou  wilt,  still  are  we  ransomed  from 
nonentity. 

The  worlds  of  bliss  and  woe  are  peopled  with  immortals  : 
And  ruin  is  thy  blame  ; for  thou,  the  worst,  are  free 
To  take  from  Heaven  the  grace  of  love,  as  the  gift  of  life : 
Yet  is  not  remedy  thy  praise  ; for  thou,  the  best,  art  bound 
In  self,  and  sin,  and  darkling  sloth,  until  He  break  the  chain : 
None  can  tell,  without  a struggle,  if  that  chain  be  broken  ; 
Strive  to-day, — one  effort  more  may  prove  that  thou  art  free  ! 
Here  is  faith  and  prayer,  here  is  the  Grace  and  the  Atone- 
ment, • 

Here  is  the  creature  feeling  for  its  God,  and  the  prodigal  re- 
turning to  his  Father. 

But,  behold,  His  reasonable  children,  standing  in  just  pro- 
bation, 

With  ears  to  hear,  neglect ; with  eyes  to  see,  refuse  : 

They  will  not  have  the  blessing  with  the  life,  the  blessing 
that  enricheth  immortality ; 

And  look  for  pleasures  out  of  God,  for  heaven  in  life  alone  : 
So,  they  snatch  that  awful  prize,  existence  void  of  love, 

And  in  their  darkening  exile  make  a needful  hell  of  self. 

Therefore  fear,  thou  sinnec,  lest  the  huge  blessing  Immor- 
tality, 


series  h.J  OF  IMMORTALITY.  205 

Be  blighted  in  thine  evil  to  a curse, — it  were  better  he  had 
not  been  born ; 

Therefore  hope,  thou  saint,  for  the  gift  of  immortality  is 
free ; 

Take  and  live,  and  live  and  love;  fear  not,  thou  art  re- 
deemed ! 

The  happy  life,  that  height  of  hope,  the  knowledge  of  all 
good, 

This  is  the  blessing  on  obedience,  obedience  the  child  of 
faith : 

The  miserable  life,  that  depth  of  all  despair,  the  knowledge 
of  all  evil, 

This  is  the  curse  upon  impenitence,  impenitence  that  sprung 
of  unbelief. 

God,  from  a beautiful  necessity,  is  Love  in  all  he  doeth, 

Love,  a brilliant  fire,  to  gladden  or  consume  : 

The  wicked  work  their  woe  by  looking  upon  love,  and  hating 
it: 

The  righteous  find  their  joys  in  yearning  on  its  loveliness  for 
ever. 


Who  shall  imagine  Immortality,  or  picture  its  illimitable 
prospect  'l 

How  feebly  can  a faltering  tongue  express  the  vast  idea  ! 

For  consider  the  primeval  woods  that  bristle  over  broad 
Australia, 

And  count  their  autumn  leaves,  millions  multiplied  by  mil- 
lions ; 

Thence  look  up  to  a moonless  sky  from  a sleeping  isle  of  the 
iEgrean, 

And  add  to  those  leaves  yon  starry  host,  sparkling  on  the 
midnight  numberless ; 

Thence  traverse  an  Arabia,  some  continent  of  eddying  sand, 

Gather  each  grain,  let  none  escape,  add  them  to  the  leaves 
and  to  the  stars  : 


296  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [sebiks  n. 

Afterwards  gaze  upon  the  sea,  the  thousand  leagues  of  an 
Atlantic, 

Take  drop  by  drop,  and  add  their  sum  to  the  grains,  and 
leaves,  and  stars ; 

The  drops  of  ocean,  the  desert  sands,  the  leaves,  and  stars 
innumerable. 

(Albeit,  in  that  multitude  of  multitudes,  each  small  unit 
were  an  age,) 

All  might  reckon  for  an  instant,  a transient  flash  of  Time, 

Compared  with  this  intolerable  blaze,  the  measureless  endur- 
ing of  Eternity ! 

O grandest  gift  of  the  Creator, — O largess  worthy  of  a God, 

Who  shall  grasp  that  thrilling  thought,  life  and  joy  for 
ever  ? 

For  the  sun  in  heaven’s  heaven  is  Love  that  cannot  change, 

And  the  shining  of  that  sun  is  life,  to  all  beneath  its  beams  : 

Who  shall  arrest  it  in  the  firmament,— or  drag  it  from  its 
sphere  1 

Or  bid  its  beauty  smile  no  more,  but  be  extinct  for  ever  ? 

Yea,  where  God  hath  given,  none  shall  take  away, 

Nor  build  up  limits  to  his  love,  nor  bid  his  bounty  cease  ; 

Wide,  as  space  is  peopled,  endless  as  the  empire  of  heaven, 

The  river  of  the  water  of  life  floweth  on  in  majesty  for 
ever  ? 

Why  should  it  seem  a thing  impossible  to  thee,  O man  of 
many  doubts, 

Th  it  God  shall  wake  the  dead,  and  give  this  mortal  immor- 
tality 1 

Is  it  that  such  riches  are  unsearchable,  the  bounty  too  pro- 
fuse 1 

And  yet  what  gift,  to  cease  or  change,  is  worthy  of  the  King 
Almighty  1 

For  remember  the  moment  thou  art  not,  thou  mightest  as 
well  not  have  been  ; 


series  ii  ] OF  IMMORTALITY.  297 

A millennium  and  an  hour  are  equal  in  the  gulf  of  that  deso- 
late abyss,  annihilation: 

If  Adam  had  existed  till  to-day,  and  to-day  had  perished  ut- 
terly, 

What  were  his  gain  in  length  of  a life,  that  hath  passed 
away  for  ever  7 

No  tribute  of  thanks  can  exhale  from  the  empty  censer  of 
nonentity ; 

* The  Giver  with  his  gift  reclaimed,  is  mulcted  of  all  praise. 

Tell  me,  ye  that  strive  in  vain  to  cramp  and  dwarf  the 
soul, 

Wherefore  should  it  cease  to  be,  and  when  shall  essence 
die  7 

It  is,— and  therefore  shall  be,— till  just  obstacle  opposeth  : 

Show  no  cause  for  change,  and  reason  leaneth  to  continu- 
ance. 

The  body  verily  shall  change ; this  curious  house  we  live  in 

Never  had  continuing  stay,  but  changeth  every  instant : 

But  the  spiritual  tenant  of  the  house  abideth  in  unalterable 
consciousness, 

He  may  fly  to  many  lands,  but  cannot  free  himself : 

The  soil  wherein  ye  drop  the  seed,  by  suns  or  rains  may 
vary ; 

But  the  seed  is  the  same  ; and  soul  is  the  seed ; and  flesh 
but  its  anchorage  to  earth. 

The  machine  may  be  broken,  and  rust  corrode  the  springs : 
but  can  rust  feed  on  motion  7 

Worms  may  batten  on  the  brain : but  can  worms  gnaw  the 
mind  7 

Dynamics  are,  and  dwell  apart,  though  matter  be  not  made ; 

Spirit  is,  and  can  be  separate,  though  a body  were  not: 

Power  is  one,  be  it  lever,  screw,  or  wedge ; but  it  needeth 
these  for  illustration : 

Mind  is  one,  be  it  causal  or  ideal ; but  it  is  shown  in  these. 

14* 


298  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY  [series  ii. 

The  creature  is  constructed  individual,  for  trial  of  his  reason- 
able will, 

Clay  a nd  soul,  commingled  wisely,  mingled  not  confused : 

As  power  is  not  in  the  spring,  till  somewhat  give  it  action, 

So,  until  spirit  be  infused,  the  organism  lieth  inergetic. 

Or  shalt  thou  say  that  mind  is  the  delicate  offspring  of  mat- 
ter, • 

The  bright  consummate  flower  that  must  perish  with  its 
leaf  7 

Go  to : doth  weight  breed  lightness  7 is  freedom  the  atmo- 
sphere of  prisons  7 

When  did  the  body  elevate,  expand,  and  bud  the  mind  7 
Lo,  a red  hot  cinder  flung  from  the  furnaces  of  iEtna, — 

There  is  fire  in  that  ash  ; but  did  the  pumice  make  it  7 
Nay,  cold  clod,  never  canst  thou  generate  a flame, 

Nay,  most  exquisite  machinery,  nevermore  elaborate  a mind ; 
Rather  do  ye  battle,  and  contend,  opposite  the  one  to  the 
other ; 

Till  God  shall  stop  the  strife,  and  call  the  body  colleague. 

Garment  of  flesh,  and  art  thou  then  a vest,  so  tinged  with 
subtle  poison 

(Maddening  tunic  of  the  centaur)  as  to  kill  the  soul  7 
Not  so : fruit  of  disobedience,  rot  in  dissolution,  as  thou 
must, — 

The  seed  is  in  the  core,  its  germ  is  safe,  and  life  is  m that 
germ: 

Moreover  Marah  shall  be  sweetened;  and  a Good  Physician 
Yet  shall  heal  those  gangrene  wounds,  the  spotted  plague  of 
sin: 

He,  through  worldly  trials,  and  the  separative  cleansing  of 
the  grave, 

Shall  change  its  corruptible  to  glory,  and  wash  that  garment 
white. 


series  ii.]  OF  IMMORTALITY.  299  . 

Still,  is  the  whisper  in  thy  heart,  that  oftenest  the  bed  of 
death 

Seemeth  but  a sluggish  ebb,  of  sinking  soul  and  body  7 
Mind,  dwelling  long-time  sensual  in  the  chambers  of  the 
flesh, 

May  slumber  on  in  conscious  sloth,  and  wilfully  be  dulled : 

But  is  it  therefore  nigh  to  dissolution,  even  as  the  body  of 
this  death  7 

Ask  the  stricken  conscience,  gasping  out  its  terrors  ; 

Ask  the  dying  miser,  loth  to  leave  his  gold  ; 

Ask  the  widowed  poor,  confiding  her  fatherless  to  strangers ; 
Ask  the  martyr-maid,  a broken  reed  so  strong, 

That  weak  and  tortured  frame,  with  triumph  on  its  brow ! — 

O thou  gainsayer,  the  finger  of  disease  may  seem  to  reach 
the  soul, 

But  it  is  a spiritual  touch,  sympathy  with  that  which  aiJeth : 
Pain  or  fear  may  dislocate  and  shatter  this  delicate  m ichinery 
of  nerves  ; 

But  madness  prove th  mind : the  fault  is  in  the  engine,  not 
the  impetus  : 

Dissipate  the  mists  of  matter,  lo,  the  soul  is  clear : 

Tiinour’s  cage  bowed  it  in  the  dust ; but  now  it  goeth  forth 
a freedman. 


Yet  more,  there  is  reason  in  moralities,  that  the  soul  must 
live ; 

If  God  be  king  in  heaven,  or  have  care  for  earth, 

Can  wickedness  have  triumphed  with  impunity,  or  virtue 
toiled  unseen  7 

Shall  cruelty  torture  unavenged,  and  the  innocent  complain 
unheard  7 

Is  there  no  recompense  for  woe, — must  there  be  no  other 
world  for  justice, — 

No  hope  in  setting  suns  of  good,  nor  terror  for  the  evil  at  its 
zenith  7 


300  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  u. 

How  shall  ye  make  answer  unto  this  ; a just  God  prospering 
iniquity, 

Wisdom  encouraging  the  foolish,  and  Goodness  abetting  the 
depraved  ? 

Yet  again ; mine  erring  brother,  pardon  this  abundance  of 
my  speech, 

Yield  me  thy  candor  and  thy  charity,  listening  with  a wel- 
come : 

For,  even  now,  a thousand  thoughts  are  trooping  to  my 
theme ; 

O mighty  theme,  O feeble  thoughts!  Alas,  wrho  is  suffi- 
cient I 

Judge  not  so  high  a cause  by  these  poor  words  alone, 

For  lo,  the  advocate  hath  little  skill : pardon,  and  pass  on  : 

Certify  .thyself  with  surer  proofs  ; fledge  thine  own  mind  for 
flight ; 

Think,  and  pray ; those  better  proofs  shall  follow  on  with 
holy  aspiration. 

Yet,  in  my  humbler  grade  to  help  thy  weal  and  comfort, 

Thy  weal  for  this  and  higher  worlds,  and  comfort  in  thy 
sickness, 

Buffer  the  multitude  of  fancies,  walking  with  me  still  in 
love ; 

But  tread  in  fear,  it  is  holy  ground,— remember  Immortality ! 

Wilt  thou  argue  from  infirmities,  thine  abject  evil  state  ? 

As  how  should  stricken  wretched  man  indeed  exist  for  ever: 

The  brutal  and  besotted,  the  savage  and  the  slave,  the  suck- 
ing infant  and  the  idiot, 

The  mass  of  mean  and  common  minds,  and  all  to  be  immor- 
tal? 

Consider  every  beginning,  how  small  it  is  and  feeble : 

Ganges,  and  the  rolling  Mississippi,  sprung  of  brooks  among 
the  mountains ; 

That  yew-tree  of  a thousand  years  wTas  once  a little  seed : 


series  ii.]  OF  IMMORTALITY.  301 

And  Nero’s  marble  Rome,  a shepherd’s  mndbuilt  hovel ; 

A speck  is  on  the  tropic  sky,  and  it  groweth  to  the  terrible 
tornado ; 

An  apple,  all  too  fair  to  see,  destroyed  a world  of  souls : 

A tender  babe  is  born, — it  is  Attila,  scourge  of  the  nations  ! 

A seeming  malefactor  dieth, — it  is  Jesus,  the  Saviour  of 
men ! 

And  hive  not  in  thy  thoughts  the  vain  and  wordy  notion 

That  nothing  which  was  born  in  time,  can  tire  out  the  foot- 
steps of  Infinity: 

Reckon  up  a sum  in  numbers ; where  shall  progression  stop! 

The  starting-post  is  definite  and  fixed,  but  what  is  the  goal 
of  numeration  ! 

So,  begin  upon  a moment,  and  when  shall  being  end  ! 

Souls  emanate  from  God,  to  travel  with  him  equally  forever. 

Moreover,  thou  that  objectest  the  unenterable  circle  of  eter- 
nity, 

That  none  but  He  from  everlasting  can  endure,  as  to  a future 
everlasting, 

Consider,  may  it  be  impossible  that  creatures  were  counted 
in  their  Maker, 

And  so  that  the  confines  of  eternity  are  filled  by  God 
alone  ! 

Trust  not  thy  soul  upon  a fancy : who  would  freight  a bub- 
ble with  a diamond, 

And  launch  that  priceless  gem  on  the  boiling  rapids  of  a cata- 
ract! 

If  then  we  perish  not  at  death,  but  walk  in  spirit  through 
the  darkness, 

Waiting  for  a mansion  incorruptible,  whereof  this  body  is 
the  seed, 

Tell  me,  when  shall  be  the  period  ! time  and  its  ordeals  are 
done ; 


302  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

The  storms  are  passed,  the  night  is  at  an  end,  behold  the 
Sabbath  morning. 

Is  Death  to  be  conqueror  again,  and  claim  once  more  the 
victory, — 

Can  the  enemy’s  corpse  awaken  into  life,  and  bruise  the 
Champion’s  head  ? 

Evil,  terrible  ensample,  that  foil  to  the  attributes  of  Good, 

Is  banished  to  its  own  black  world,  weeded  out  of  earth  and 
heaven : 

Shall  that  great  gulf  be  passed,  and  sin  be  sown  again? — 

We  know  but  this,  the  book  of  truth  proclaimeth  gladly, 
Never ! 

There  remaineth  the  will  of  our  God:  when  he  repenteth 
of  his  creature 

Made  by  self-suggested  mercy,  ransomed  by  self-sacrificing 
justice, — 

When  Truth,  that  swore  unto  his  neighbor,  disappointeth 
him,  and  cleaveth  to  a lie, — 

When  the  counsels  of  Wisdom  are  confounded,  and  Love 
warreth  with  itself, 

When  the  Unchangeable  is  changed,  and  the  arm  of  Omni- 
potence is  broken, — 

Then, — thy  quenchless  soul  shall  •have  reached  the  goal  of 
its  existence. 

But  it  seemeth  to  thy  notions  of  the  merciful  and  just,  a 
false  and  fearful  thing, 

To  lay  such  a burden  upon  time,  that  eternity  be  built  on  its 
foundation : 

As  if  so  casual  good  or  ill  should  color  all  the  future, 

And  the  vanity  of  accident,  or  sternness  of  necessity,  save  or 
wreck  a soul. 

Were  it  casual,  vain,  or  stern,  this  might  pass  for  truth: 

But  all  things  are  marshalled  by  Design,  and  carefully  tended 
by  Benevolence. 


series  ii.]  OF  IMMORTALITY.  303 

O man,  thy  judge  is  righteous, — noting,  remembering,  and 
weighing  , 

Want,  ignorance,  diversities  of  state,  are  cast  into  the  bal- 
ance of  advantage : 

The  poisonous  example  of  a parent  asketh  for  allowance  in 
a child ; 

Care,  diseases,  toils,  and  frailties, — all  things  are  considered. 

And  again,  a mysterious  Omniscience  knoweth  the  spirits 
that  are  His, 

While  the  delicate  tissues  of  Event  are  woven  by  the  fin- 
gers of  Ubiquity. 

Should  Providence  be  taken  by  surprise  from  the  possible  im- 
pinging of  an  accident, 

One  fortuitous  grain  might  dislocate  the  banded  universe : 

The  merest  seeming  trifle  is  ordered  as  the  morning  light ; 

And  he  that  rideth  on  the  hurricane,  is  pilot  of  the  bubble  on 
the  breaker. 

Once  more,  consider  Matter, — how  small  a thing  is  father 
to  the  greatest: 

Thou  that  lightly  hast  regarded  the  results  of  so  called  acci- 
dent. 

A blade  of  grass  took  fire  in  the  sun, — and  the  prairies  are 
burnt  to  the  horizon : 

A grain  of  sand  may  blind  the  eye,  and  madden  the  brain  to 
murder ; 

A careful  fly  deposited  its  egg  in  the  swelling  bud  of  an 
acorn, — 

The  sapling  grew, — cankrous  and  gnarled, — it  is  yonder  hol- 
low oak : 

A child  touched  a spring,  and  the  spring  closed  a valve,  and 
the  laboring  engine  burst, — 

A thousand  lives  were  in  that  ship, — wrecked  by  an  infant’s 
finger ! 

Shall  nature  preach  in  vain  ? — thy  casualty,  guided  in  its 
orbit, 


304  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Though  less  than  a mote  uponthe  sunbeam,  saileth  in  a fleet 
of  worlds  ; 

That  trivial  cause,  watered  and  observed  of  the  Husband- 
man day  by  day, 

In  calm  undeviating  strength  doth  work  its  large  effect. 

Thus,  in  the  pettiness  of  life  note  thou  seeds  of  grandeur, 

And  watch  the  hour-glass  of  Time  with  the  eyes  of  an  heir 
of  Immortality. 

There  still  be  clouds  of  witnesses, — if  thou  art  not  weary  of 
my  speech, — 

Flocks  of  thoughts  adding  lustre  to  the  light,  and  pointing  on 
to  Life. 

For  reflect  how  Truth  and  Goodness,  well  and  wisely  put, 

Commend  themselves  to  every  mind  with  wondrous  intui- 
tion : 

What  is  this  ? the  recognition  of  a standard,  unwritten,  natu- 
ral, uniform ; 

Telling  of  one  common  source,  the  root  of  Good  and  True. 

And  if  thus  present  soul  can  trace  descent  from  Deity, 

Being,  as  it  standeth,  individual,  a separate  reasonable  thing, 

What  should  hinder  that  its  hope  may  not  trace  gladly  for- 
ward, 

And,  in  astounding  parallel,  like  Enoch  walk  with  God  ? 

Yea,  the  genealogy  of  soul,  that  vivifying  breath  of  a Crea- 
tor, 

Breath,  no  transient  air,  but  essence,  energy,  and  reason, 

Is  looming  on  the  past,  and  shadowing  the  future,  sublimely 
as  Melchisedek  of  old, 

Having  not  beginning,  nor  end  of  days,  but  present  in  the 
majesty  of  Peace ! 

O false  scholar,  credulous  in  vanities,  and  only  sceptical  of 
truth, 

Wherefore  toil  to  cheat  thy  soul  of  its  birthright,  Immortali- 
ty? 


series  ii.]  OF  IMMORTALITY.  305 

Is  it  for  thy  guilt  ? He  pardoneth  : is  it  for  thy  frailty  1 He 
will  help : 

Though  thou  fearest,  He  is  love ; and  Mercy  shall  be  deeper 
than  Despair. 

Even  for  thy  full-blown  pride,  is  it  much  to  be  receiver  of  a 
God  ? 

And  lo,  thy  rights,  He  made  thee ; thy  claims,  He  hath  re- 
deemed. 

Hath  the  fair  aspect  of  affection  no  beauty  that  thou  shouldst 
desire  it  ? 

And  are  those  sorrows  nothing  to  thee  that  passest  by  ? 

For  it  is  Fact,  immutable,  that  God  hath  dwelt  in  Man  ; 

With  gentle  generous  love  ennobling  while  He  bought  us. 

What,  though  thou  art  false,  ignorant,  weak,  and  daring, — 

Can  the  sun  be  quenched  in  heaven — or  only  Belisarius  be 
blind  ? 

But,  even  stooping  to  thy  folly,  grant  all  these  hopes  are 
vain ; 

Stultify  reason,  wrestle  against  conscience,  and  wither  up 
the  heart, 

Where  is  thy  vast  advantage  ?— I have  all  that  thou  hast, 

The  buoyancy  of  life  as  strong,  and  term  of  days  no  shorter ; 

My  cup  is  full  with  gladness, — my  griefs  are  not  more  galling ; 

And  thus,  we  walk  together,  even  to  the  gates  of  death  ; 

There  (if  not  also  on  my  joirfney,  blessing  every  step, 

Gladdening  with  light,  and  quickening  with  love,  and  killing 
all  my  cares), 

There, — while  thou  art  quailing,  or  sullenly  expecting  to  be 
nothing, — 

There, — is  found  my  gain, — I triumph,  where  thou  trembles t. 

Grant  all  my  solace  is  a lie,  yet  it  is  a fountain  of  delight, 

A spice  in  every  pleasure,  and  a balm  for  every  pain  ; 

O precious  wise  delusion,  scattering  both  misery  and  sin, — 

O vile  and  silly  truth,  depraving  while  it  curseth ! 


306  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Darkling  child  of  knowledge,  commune  with  Socrates  and 
Cicero, 

They  had  no  prejudice  of  birth,  no  dull  parental  warpings  ; 
See,  those  lustrous  minds  anticipate  the  dawning  day, — 
Whilst  thou,  poor  mole,  art  burrowing  back  to  darkness  from 
the  light. 

I will  not  urge  a revelation,  mercies,  miracles,  and  martyrs, 
But,  after  twice  a thousand  years,  go,  learn  thou  of  the  pa- 
gan : 

It  were  happier  and  wiser  even  among  fools,  to  cling  to  the 
shadow  of  a hope, 

Than,  in  the  company  of  sages,  to  win  the  substance  of  de- 
spair : 

But  here,  the  sages  hope ; — despair  is  with  the  fools, 

The  base  bad  hearts,  the  stolid  heads,  the  sensual,  and  the 
selfish. 

And  wilt  thou,  sorry  scorner,  mock  the  phrase,  despair  7 
Despair  for  those  who  die  and  live, — for  me,  I live  and  die  : 
What  have  I to  do  with  dread  7 my  taper  must  go  out ; — 

I nurse  no  silly  hopes,  and  therefore  feel  no  fears  : 

I am  hastening  to  an  End. — O false  and  feeble  answer  : 

For  hope  is  in  thee  still,  and  fear, — a racking  deep  anxiety. 
Erring  brother,  listen : and  take  thine  answer  from  the  an- 
cients : 

Consider  every  end,  that  it  is  but  the  end  of  a beginning. 

All  things  work  in  circles  : weariness  induceth  un'1  rest, 
Rest  invigorateth  labor,  and  labor  causeth  wea»"'  /ss  : 

War  produceth  peace,  and  peace  is  wanton  unio  war ; 

Light  dieth  into  darkness,  and  night  dawneth  into  day : 

The  rotting  jungle  reeds  scatter  fertility  around  ; 

The  buffalo’s  dead  carcase  hath  quickened  life  in  millions ; 
The  end  of  toil  is  gain,  the  end  of  gain  is  pleasure, 

Pleasure  tendeth  unto  waste,  and  waste  commandeth  toil. 

So,  is  death  an  end, — but  it  breeds  an  infinite  beginning ; 


series  ii.]  OF  IMMORTALITY.  307 

Limits  are  for  time,  and  death  killed  time  ; Eternity’s  begin- 
ning is  for  ever. 

Ambition,  hath  it  any  goal  indeed  1 is  not  all  fruition,  disap- 
pointment 1 

A step  upon  the  ladder,  and  another,  and  another, — we  start 
from  every  end : 

Look  to  the  eras  of  mortality ; babe,  student,  man, 

The  husband,  the  father,  the  deathbed  of  a saint, — and  is  it 
then  an  end  1 

That  common  climax,  Death,  shall  it  lead  to  nothing  1 
How  strong  a root  of  causes,  flowering  a consequence  of  va- 
por: 

That  solid  chain  of  facts,  is  it  snapped  for  ever  1 

How  stout  a show  of  figures,  weakly  summing  to  nonentity. 

Or  haply,  Death,  in  the  doublings  of  thy  thought,  shall  seem 
continuous  ending : 

A dull  eternal  slumber,  not  an  end  abrupt. 

O most  futile  chrysalis,  wherefore  dost  thou  sleep  ? 
Dreamless,  unconscious,  never  to  awake, — what  object  in 
such  slumber  1 

If  thou  art  still  to  live,  it  may  as  well  be  wakefully  as  sleep- 
ing: 

How  grovelling  must  that  spirit  be,  to  need  eternal  sleep : 

Or  was  indeed  the  toil  of  life  so  heavy  and  so  long, 

That  nevermore  can  rest  refresh  thine  overburdened  soul ; 
Sleep  is  a recreance  to  body,  but  when  was  mind  asleep  1 
Even  in  a swoon  it  dreameth,  though  all  be  forgotten  after- 
ward : 

The  muscles  seek  relaxing,  and  the  irritable  nerves  ask 
peace : 

But  life  is  a constant  force,  spirit  an  unquietable  impetus  : 
The  eye  may  wear  out  as  a telescope,  and  the  brain  work 
slow  as  a machine, 

But  soul  unwearied,  and  for  ever,  is  capable  of  effort  unim- 
paired. 


308  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

I live,  move,  am  conscious  : what  shall  bar  my  being  ? 
Where  is  the  rude  hand,  to  rend  this  tissue  of  existence? 
Not  thine,  shadowy  Death,  what  art  thou  but  a phantom  ? 
Not  thine,  foul  Corruption,  what  art  thou  but  a fear  ? 

For  death  is  merely  absent  life,  as  darkness  absent  light ; 

Not  even  a suspension,  for  the  life  hath  sailed  away  steering 
gladly  somewhere. 

And  corruption  closely  noted,  is  but  a dissolving  of  the  parts, 
The  parts  remain  and  nothing  lost,  to  build  a better  whole. 
Moreover,  mind  is  unity,  however  versatile  and  rapid  ; 

Thou  canst  not  entertain  two  coincident  ideas,  although 
they  quickly  follow ; 

And  Unity  hath  no  parts,  so  that  there  is  nothing  to  dissolve  ; 
The  element  is  still  unchanged  in  every  searching  solvent. 
Who  then  shall  bid  me  be  annulled, — He  that  gave  me  be- 
ing ? 

Amen,  if  Cod  so  will ; I know  that  will  is  love  : 

But  love  hath  promised  life,  and  therefore  I shall  live  ; 

So  long  as  he  is  God,  I shall  be  his  Creature ! 


And  here,  shrewd  reasoner,  so  eager  to  prove  that  thou  must 
perish, 

I note  a sneer  upon  thy  lip,  and  ridicule  is  haply  on  thy 
tongue : 

How,  said  he, — creature  of  a God, — and  are  not  all  his  crea- 
tures,— 

The  lion,  and  the  gnat, — yea  the  mushroom  and  the  crystal, 
— have  all  these  a soul  1 

Thy  fancies  tend  to  prove  too  much  and  overshoot  the  mark : 

If  I die  not  with  brutes,  then  brutes  must  live  with  me  ? — 

I dare  not  tell  thee  that  they  will,  for  the  word  is  not  in  my 
commission : 

But  of  the  twain  it  is  the  likelier;  continuance  is  the 
chance : 

Men,  dying  in  their  sins,  are  likened  unto  beasts  that  perish : 


OF  IMMORTALITY. 


SERIES  n.J 


309 


They  are  dark,  animal,  insensate,  but  have  they  not  a lurk- 
ing soul  7 

The  spirit  of  a man  goeth  upward,  reasonable,  apprehending 
God; 

The  spirit  of  a beast  goeth  downward,  sensual,  doting  on  the 
creature : 

Who  told  thee  that  they  die  at  dissolution  7 boldly  think  it 
out, — 

The  multitude  of  flies  and  the  multitude  of  herbs,  the  world 
with  all  its  beings : 

Is  Infinity  too  narrow,  Omnipotence  too  weak,  and  Love  so 
anxious  to  destroy  7 

Doth  Wisdom  change  its  plan,  and  a Maker  cancel  his  creat- 
ed? 

God’s  will  may  compass  all  things,  to  fashion  and  to  nullify 
at  pleasure : 

Yet  are  there  many  thoughts  of  hope,  that  all  which  are 
shall  live. 

True,  there  is  no  conscience  in  the  brute,  beyond  some  edu- 
cated habit, 

They  lay  them  down  without  a fear,  and  wake  without  a 
hope : 

Hunger  and  pain  is  of  the  animal : but  when  did  they  reckon 
or  compare  7 

They  live,  idealess,  in  instinct ; and  while  they  breathe 
they  gain : 

The  master  is  an  idol  to  his  dog,  who  cannot  rise  beyond 
him : 

And  void  of  capability  for  God,  there  would  seem  small 
cause  for  an  infinity. 

Therefore,  caviller,  my  poor  thoughts  dare  not  grant  they 
live : 

But  is  it  not  a great  thing  to  assume  their  annihilation — and 
thine  own  7 

Would  it  be  much  if  a speck  on  space,  this  globe  with  all 
its  millions, 


310  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Verily,  after  its  pollution,  were  suffered  to  exist  in  purity  ? 

Or  much,  if  guiltless  creatures,  that  were  cruelly  entreated 
upon  earth, 

Found  some  commensurate  reward  in  lower  joys  hereafter? 

Or,  much,  if  a Creator,  prodigal  of  life,  and  filled  with  the 
profundity  of  love, 

Rejoice  in  all  creatures  of  his  skill,  and  lead  them  to  perfec- 
tion in  their  kind  ? 

O man,  there  are  many  marvels : yet  life  is  more  mystery 
than  death  : 

For  death  may  be  some  stagnant  life,— but  life  is  present 
God ! 

Many  are  the  lurking  holes  of  evil ; who  shall  search  them 
out  1 

Who  so  skilled  to  cut  away  the  cancer  with  its  fibres  1 

For  wily  minds  with  sinuous  ease  escape  from  lie  to  lie  ; 

And  cowards  driven  from  the  trench  steal  back  to  hide  again. 

Vain  were  the  battle,  if  a warrior,  having  slain  his  foes, 

Shall  turn  and  find  them  vital  still,  unarmed,  yea  un- 
ashamed : 

For  Error,  dark  magician,  daily  cast  out  killed, 

Quickeneth  animate  anew  beneath  the  midnight  moon : 

Once  and  again,  once  and  again,  hath  reason  answered 
wisely ; 

But  not  the  less  with  brazen  front  doth  folly  urge  her  ques- 
tions. 

It  were  but  unprofitable  toil,  a stand-up  fight  with  unbelief: 

When  was  there  candor  in  a caviller,  and  who  can  satisfy 
the  faithless  ? 

Too  long,  O truant  from  the  fold,  have  I tracked  thy  devious 
paths : 

Too  long,  treacherous  deserter,  fought  thee  as  a noble  foe- 
man: 

Haply,  my  small  art,  and  an  arm  too  weakly  for  it’s  weapon, 


series  ii.J  OF  IMMORTALITY.  311 

Hath  failed  to  pierce  thine  iron  coat,  and  reach  thy  stricken 
soul : 

Haply,  the  fervor  of  my  speech,  and  too  patient  sifting  of  thy 
fancies, 

Shall  tend  to  make  thee  prize  them  more,  as  worthier  and 

wiser : 

Go  to : be  mine  the  gain : we  measure  swords  no  more : 

Go, — and  a word  go  with  thee, — Man,  thou  art  Immortal ! 

Child  of  light,  and  student  in  the  truth,  too  long  have  I for- 
gotten thee : 

Lo,  after  parley  with  an  alien,  let  me  hold  sweet  converse 
with  a brother. 

Glorious  hopes,  and  ineffable  imaginings,  crowd  our  holy 
theme, 

Fear  hath  been  slaughtered  on  the  portal,  and  Doubt  driven 
back  to  darkness : 

For  Christ  hath  died,  and  we  in  Him  ; by  faith  His  all  is 
ours, — 

Cross  and  crown,  and  love,  and  life ; and  we  shall  reign  in 
Him ! 

Yea,  there  is  a fitness  and  a beauty  in  ascribing  immortality 
to  mind, 

That  its  energies  and  lofty  aspirations  may  have  scope  for 
indefinite  expansion. 

To  learn  all  things  is  privilege  of  reason,  and  that  with  a 
growing  capability, 

But  in  this  age  of  toil  and  time  we  scarce  attain  to  Alphabets : 

How  hardly  In  the  midst  of  our  hurry,  and  jostled  by  the 
cares  of  life, 

Shall  a man  turn  and  stop  to  consider  mighty  secrets ; 

With  barely  hours,  and  barely  powers,  to  fill  up  daily  duties 

How  small  the  glimpse  of  knowledge  his  wondering  eye  can 
catch. 

And  knowledge  is  a noting  of  the  order  wherein  God’s  attri- 
butes evolve, 


312  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Therefore  worthy  of  the  creature,  worthy  of  an  angel’s 
seeking ; 

Yea,  and  human  knowledge,  meagre  though  the  harvest, 
Hath  its  roots,  both  deep  and  strong ; but  the  plants  are  exotic 
to  the  climate; 

All  we  seem  to  know  demand  a longer  learning, 

History,  and  science,  and  prophecy,  and  art,  are  workings  all 
of  God : 

And  there  are  galaxies  of  globes,  millions  of  unimagined 
beings, 

Other  senses,  wondrous  sounds,  and  thoughts  of  thrilling 
fire, 

Powers  of  strange  might,  quickening  unknown  elements, 

And  attributes  and  energies  of  God  which  man  may  never 
guess. 

Not  in  vain,  O brother,  hath  soul  the  spurs  of  enterprise, 
Nor  aimlessly  panteth  for  adventure,  waiting  at  the  cave  of 
mystery ; 

Net  in  vain  the  cup  of  curiosity,  sweet  and  richly  spiced, 

Is  ruby  to  the  sight,  and  ambrosia  to  the  taste,  and  redolent 
with  all  fragrance : 

Thou  shalt  drink,  and  deeply,  filling  the  mind  with  marvels ; 
Thou  shalt  watch  no  more,  lingering,  disappointed  of  thy 
hope : 

Thou  shalt  roam  where  road  is  none,  a traveller  untram- 
melled, 

Speeding  at  a wish,  emancipate,  to  where  the  stars  are  suns ! 

Count,  count  your  hopes,  heirs  of  immortality  and  love ; 

And  hear  my  kindred  faith,  and  turn  again  to  bless  me. 

For  lo,  my  trust  is  strong  to  dwell  in  many  worlds, 

And  cull  of  many  brethren  there,  sweet  knowledge  ever  new : 

I yearn  for  realms  where  fancy  shall  be  filled,  and  the  ecs- 
tasies of  freedom  shall  be  felt, 

And  the  soul  reign  gloriously,  risen  to  its  royal  destinies : 


series  ii.]  OF  IMMORTALITY.  313 

I look  to  recognise  again,  through  the  beautiful  mask  of  their 
perfection, 

The  dear  familiar  faces  I have  some  while  loved  on  earth : 

I long  to  talk  with  grateful  tongue  of  storms  and  perils  past. 
And  praise  the  mighty  Pilot  that  hath  steered  us  through  the 
rapids : 

He  shall  be  the  focus  of  it  all,  the  very  heart  of  gladness, — 
My  soul  is  athirst  for  God,  the  God  who  dwelt  in  Man  ! 
Prophet,  priest,  and  king,  the  sacrifice,  the  substitute,  the 
Saviour, 

Rapture  of  the  blessed  in  the  hunted  one  of  earth,  the  par- 
doner in  the  victim : 

How  many  centuries  of  joy  concentrate  in  that  theme, 

How  often  a Methusaleh  might  count  his  thousand  years, 
and  leave  it  unexhausted. 

And  lo  the  heavenly  Jerusalem,  with  all  its  gates  one  pearl, 
That  pearl  of  countless  price,  the  door  by  which  we  enter- 
ed,— 

Come,  tread  the  golden  streets,  and  join  that  glorious  throng, 
The  happy  ones  of  heaven  and  earth,  ten  thousand  times  ten 
thousand : 

Hark,  they  sing  that  song,  and  cast  their  crowns  before  Him ; 
Their  souls  alight  with  Love, — Glory,  and  Praise,  and  Im  - 
mortality ! 

Veil  thine  eyes  : no  son  of  time  may  see  that  holy  vision, 
And  even  the  seraph  at  thy  side  hath  covered  his  face  with 
wings. 

Doth  he  not  speak  parables  1 — each  one  goeth  on  his  way, 
Ye  that  hear,  and  I that  counsel,  go  on  our  ways  forgetful. 
For  the  terrible  realities  whereto  we  tend,  are  hidden  from 
our  eyes, 

We  know  but  heed  them  not,  and  walk  as  if  the  temporal 
were  all  things. 

Vanities  buzzing  on  the  ear,  fill  its  drowsy  chambers, 

15 


314  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Slow  to  drea  d those  coming  fears,  the  thunder  and  the  trum- 
pet; 

Motes  steaming  on  the  sight,  dim  our  purblind  eyes, 

Dark  to  see  the  ponderous  orb  of  nearing  immortality : 
Hemmed  in  by  hostile  foes,  the  trifler  is  busied  on  an  epi- 
gram ; (:o) 

The  dull  ox,  driven  to  slaughter,  careth  but  for  pasture  by 
the  way. 

Alas,  that  the  precious  things  of  truth,  and  the  everlasting 
hills, 

The  mighty  hopes  we  spake  of,  and  the  consciousness  we 
feel, — 

Alas,  that  all  the  future,  and  its  adamantine  facts, 

Clouded  by  the  present  with  intoxicating  fumes, — 

Should  seem  even  to  us,  the  great  expectant  heirs, 

To  us,  the  responsible  and  free,  fearful  sons  of  reason, 

Only  as  a lovely  song,  sweet  sounds  of  solemn  music, 

A pleasant  voice,  and  nothing  more, — doth  he  not  speak  pa- 
rables 1 , 

Looit  to  thy  soul,  O man,  for  none  can  be  surety  for  his  bro- 
ther: 

Behold,  for  heaven — or  for  heh, — thou  canst  not  escape  from 
Immortality ! 


OF  IDEAS. 

Mind  is  like  a volatile  essence,  flitting  hither  and  thither, 

A solitary  sentinel  of  the  fortress  body,  to  show  himself 
everywhere  by  turns : 

Mind  is  indivisible  and  instant,  with  neither  parts  nor  or- 
gans, 

That  itdoeth,  it  doth  quickly,  but  the  whole  mind  doth  it: 
An  active  versatile  agent,  untiring  in  the  principle  of  energy, 


series  H.J  OF  IDEAS.  315 

Nor  space,  nor  time,  nor  rest,  nor  toil,  can  affect  the  tenant 
of  the  brain ; 

His  dwelling  may  verily  be  shattered,  and  the  furniture 
thereof  be  disarranged, 

But  the  particle  of  Deity  in  man  slumbereth  not,  neither  can 
be  wearied : 

However  swift  to  change,  even  as  the  field  of  a kaleidoscope, 

It  taketh  in  but  one  idea  at  once,  moulded  for  the  moment  to 
its  likeness ; 

Mind  is  as  the  quicksilver,  which,  poured  from  vessel  to  ves- 
sel, 

Instantly  seizeth  on  a shape,  and  as  instantly  again  discard- 
ed it ; 

For  it  is  an  apprehensive  power,  closing  on  the  properties  of 
Matter, 

Expanding  to  enwrap  a world,  collapsing  to  prison  up  an 
atom : 

As,  by  night,  thine  irritable  eyes  may  have  seen  strange 
changing  figures, 

Now  a wheel,  now  suddenly  a point,  a line,  a curve,  a zig- 
zag, 

A maze  ever  altering,  as  the  dance  of  gnats  upon  a sun- 
beam, 

Swift,  intricate,  neither  to  be  prophesied,  nor  to  be  remem- 
bered in  succession, 

So  the  mind  of  a man,  single,  and  perpetually  moving, 

Flickereth  about  from  thought  to  thought,  changed  with  each 
idea, 

For  the  passing  second  metamorphosed  to  the  image  of  that 
within  its  ken, 

And  throwing  its  immediate  perceptions  into  each  cause  of 
contemplation. 

It  shall  regard  a tree  ; and  unconsciously,  in  separate  re- 
view, 

Embrace  its  color,  shape,  and  use,  whole  and  individual  con- 
ceptions ; 


316 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  rSERIES 


It  shall  read  or  hear  of  crime,  and  cast  itself  into  the  com- 
mission ; 

It  shall  note  a generous  deed,  and  glow  for  a moment  as  the 
doer; 

It  shall  imagine  pride  or  pleasure,  treating  on  the  edges  of 
temptation ; 

Or  heed  of  God  and  of  his  Christ,  and  grow  transformed  to 
glory. 

Wherefore,  it  is  wise  and  well  to  guide  the  mind  aright, 

That  its  aptness  may  be  sensitive  to  good,  and  shrink  with 
antipathy  from  evil : 

For  use  will  mould  and  mark  it,  or  nonusage  dull  and  blunt 
it ; — 

So  to  talk  of  spirit  by  analogy  -with  substance  ; 

And  analogy  is  a truer  guide,  than  many  teachers  tell  of, 

Similitudes  are  scattered  round,  to  help  us,  not  to  hurt  us  ; 

Moses,  in  his  every  type,  and  the  Greater  than  a Moses,  in 
his  parables, 

Preach,  in  terms  that  all  may  learn,  the  philosophic  lessons  of 
analogy ; 

And  here,  in  a topic  immaterial,  the  likeness  of  analogy  is 
just ; 

By  habits,  knit  the  nerves  of  mind,  and  train  the  gladiator 
shrewdly : 

For  thought  shall  strengthen  thinking,  and  imagery  speed 
imagination, 

Until  thy  spiritual  inmate  shall  have  swelled  to  the  giant  of 
Otranto. 

Nevertheless,  heed  well,  that  this  Athlete,  growing  in  thy 
brain, 

Be  a wholesome  Genius,  not  a cursed  Afrite : 

And  see  thou  discipline  his  strength,  and  point  his  aim  dis- 
creetly ; 


series  ii.]  OF  IDEAS.  317 

Feed  him  on  humility  and  holy  things,  weaned  from  covet- 
ous desires ; 

Hour  by  hour  and  day  by  day,  ply  him  with  ideas  of  excel- 
lence, 

Dragging  forth  the  evil  but  to  loathe,  as  a Spartan’s  drunken 
Helot : 

And  win,  by  gradual  allurements,  the  still  expanding  soul, 

To  rise  from  a contemplated  universe,  even  to  the  Hand  that 
made  it. 

A common  mind  perceiveth  not  beyond  his  eyes  and  ears  : 

The  palings  of  the  park  of  sense  enthral  this  captured  roe- 
buck: 

And  still,  though  fettered  in  the  flesh,  he  doth  not  feel  his 
chains, 

Externals  are  the  world  to  him,  and  circumstance  his  atmo- 
sphere. 

Therefore,  tangible  pleasures  are  enough  for  the  animal- 
man  ; 

He  is  swift  to  speak  and  slow  to  think,  dreading  his  own  dim 
conscience ; 

And  solitude  is  terrible,  and  exile  worse  than  death  ; 

He  cannot  dwell  apart,  nor  breathe  at  a distance  from  the 
crowd. 

But  minds  of  nobler  stamp,  and  chiefest  the  mint-marked  of 
heaven, 

Walk  independent  by  the*mselves,  freely  manumitted  of  ex- 
ternals : 

They  carry  viands  with  them,  and  need  no  refreshment  by 
the  way, 

Nor  drink  of  other  wells  than  their  own  inner  fountain. 

Strange  shall  it  seem  how  little  such  a man  will  lean  upon 
the  accidents  of  life, 

He  is  winged,  and  needeth  not  a staff ; if  it  break,  he  shall 
not  fall 


318  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

And  lightly  perchance  doth  he  remember  the  stale  trivialities 
around  him, 

He  liveth  in  the  realm  of  thought,  beyond  the  world  of 
things : 

These  are  but  transient  Matter,  and  himself  enduring  Spirit : 

And  worldliness  will  laugh  to  scorn  that  sublimated  wisdom* 

His  eyes  may  open  on  a prison-cell,  but  the  bare  walls  glow 
with  imagery ; 

His  ears  may  be  filled  with  execration,  but  are  listening  to 
music  of  sweet  thoughts ; 

He  may  dwell  in  a hovel  with  a hero’s  heart,  and  canopy  his 
penury  with  peace, 

For  mind  is  a kingdom  to  the  man,  who  gathereth  his  plea- 
sure from  Ideas 


OF  NAMES. 

Adam  gave  the  name  when  the  Lord  had  made  his  creature, 

For  God  led  them  in  review  to  see  what  man  would  call 
them : 

As  they  struck  his  senses,  he  proclaimed  their  sounds, 

A name  for  the  distinguishing  of  each,  a numeral  by  which 
it  should  be  known  : 

He  specified  the  partridge  by  her  cry,  (21)  and  the  forest 
prowler  by  his  roaring, 

The  tree  by  its  use,  and  the  flower  by  its  beauty,  and  every 
thing  according  to  its  truth. 

There  is  an  arbitrary  name ; whereunto  the  idea  a.ttacheth ; 

And  there  is  a reasonable  name,  linking  its  fitness  to  idea : 

Yet  shall  these  twain  run  in  parallel  courses, 

Neither  shalt  thou  readily  discern  the  habit  from  the  nature. 

For  mind  is  apt  and  quick  to  wed  ideas  and  names  together, 

Nor  stoppeth  its  perception  to  be  curious  of  priorities . 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  NAMES. 


319 


And  there  is  but  little  in  the  sound,  as  some  have  vainly  fan- 
cied, 

The  same  tone  in  different  tongues  shall  be  suitable  to  oppo- 
site ideas : 

Yea,  take  an  ensample  in  thine  own : consider  similar 
words : 

How  various  and  contrary  the  thoughts  those  kindred  names 
produce : 

A house  shall  seem  a fitting  word  to  call  a roomy  dwelling, 

Yet  there  is  a like  propriety  in  the  small  smooth  sound,  a 
mouse : 

Mountain,  as  if  of  a necessity,  is  a word  both  mighty  and 
majestic, — 

What  heed  ye  then  of  fountain  1— flowing  silver  in  the  sun. 

Many  a fair  flower  is  burdened  with  preposterous  appella- 
tives, 

Which  the  wiser  simplicity  of  rustics  entitled  by  its  beau- 
ties: 

And  often  the  conceit  of  science,  loving  to  be  thought  cos- 
mopolite, 

Shall  mingle  names  of  every  clime,  alike  obscure  to  each. 

There  is  wisdom  in  calling  a thing  fitly  ; name  should  note 
particulars 

Through  a character  obvious  to  all  men,  and  worthy  of  their 
instant  acceptation. 

The  herbalist  had  a simple  cause  for  every  word  upon  his 
catalogue, 

But  now  the  mouth  of  Botany  is  filled  with  empty  sound; 

And  many  a peasant  hath  an  answer  on  his  tongue,  concern- 
ing some  vexed  flower, 

Shrewder  than  the  centipede  phrase  wherewithal  philoso- 
phers invest  it. 

For  that,  the  foolishness  of  pride,  and  flatteries  of  cringing 
homage, 


320  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Strew  with  chaff  the  threshing  floors  of  science;  names 
perplex  them  all  ; 

The  entomologist,  who  hath  pried  upon  an  insect,  straight- 
way shall  endow  it  with  his  name  ; 

It  had  many  qualities  and  marks  of  note, — but  in  chief,  a 
vain  observer  : 

The  geographer  shall  journey  to  the  pole,  through  biting 
frost  and  desolation, 

And,  for  some  simple  patron’s  sake,  shall  name  that  land,  the 
happy ; 

The  fossilist  hath  found  a bone,  the  rib  of  some  huge  lizard, 

And  forthwith  standeth  to  it  sponsor,  to  tack  himself  on  rep- 
tile immortalities : 

The  sportsman,  hunting  at  the  Cape,  found  some  strange- 
horned antelope, 

The  spots  are  new,  the  fame  is  cheap,  and  so  his  name  is 
added. 

Thus,  obscurities  encumber  knowledge,  even  by  the  vanity 
of  men 

Who  play  into  each  other’s  hand  the  game  of  giving  names. 

Various  are  the  names  of  men,  and  drawn  from  different 
wells ; 

Aspects  of  body,  or  characters  of  mind,  the  creature’s  first 
idea: 

And  some  have  sprung  of  trades,  and  some  of  dignities  or 
office ; 

Other  some  added  to  a father’s,  and  yet  more  growing  from  a 
place . 

Animal  creation,  with  sciences  and  things,— their  composites, 
and  near  associations, 

Contributed  their  symbollings  of  old,  wherewith  to  title  men : 

And  heraldry  set  upon  its  cresture  the  figured  attributes  as 
ensigns 

By  which,  as  by  a name  concrete,  its  bearer  should  be  known. 


series  u.]  OF  NAMES.  321 

Egypt  opened  on  the  theme,  dressing  up  her  gods  in  quali- 
ties ; 

Horns  of  power,  feathers  of  the  swift,  mitres  of  catholic  do- 
minion, 

The  sovereign  asp,  the  circle  everlasting,  the  crook  and 
thong  of  justice, 

By  many  mystic  shapes  and  sounds  displayed  the  idol’s 
name. 

Thereafter,  high-plumed  warriors,  the  chieftains  of  Etruria 
and  Troy, 

And  Xerxes,  urging  on  his  millions  to  the  tomb  of  pride,  Ther- 
mopylae, 

And  Hiero  with  his  bounding  ships  all  figured  at  the  prow, 

And  Rome’s  Praetorian  standards,  piled  with  strange  devices, 

And  stout  crusaders  pressing  to  the  battle,  locked  in  shining 
steel, — 

These  all  in  their  speaking  symbols,  earned,  or  wore,  a name. 

Eve,  the  mother  of  all  living,  and  Abraham,  father  of  a mul- 
titude, 

Jacob,  the  supplanter,  and  David  the  beloved,  and  all  the 
worthies  of  old  time, 

Noah,  who  came  for  consolation,  and  Benoni,  son  of  sorrow, 

Kings  and  prophets,  children  of  the  East,  owned  each  his 
title  of  significance, 

There  be  names  of  high  descent,  and  thereby  storied  honors ; 

Names  of  fair  renown,  and  therein  characters  of  merit: 

But  to  lend  the  lowborn  noble  names,  is  to  shed  upon  them 
ridicule  and  evil ; 

Yea,  many  weeds  run  rank  in  pride,  if  men  have  dubbed 
them  cedars. 

And  to  herald  common  mediocrity  with  the  noisy  notes  of 
fame, 

Tendeth  to  its  deeper  scorn : as  if  it  were  to  call  the  mole  a 
mammoth. 

15* 


322  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Yet  shall  ye  find  the  trader’s  babe  dignified  with  sounding 
titles, 

And  little  hath  the  father  guessed  the  harm  he  did  his  child : 

For  either  may  they  breed  him  discontent,  a peevish  repining 
at  his  station, 

Or  point  the  finger  of  despite  at  the  mule  in  the  trappings  of 
an  elephant : 

And  it  is  a kind  of  theft  to  filch  appellations  from  the  famous, 

A soiling  of  the  shrines  of  praise  with  folly’s  vulgar  herd. 

Prudence  hath  often  gone  ashamed  for  the  name  they  added 
to  his  father’s, 

If  minds  of  mark  and  great  achievements  bore  it  well  before  ; 

For  he  walketh  as  the  jay  in  the  fable,  though  not  by  his 
own  folly, 

Another’s  fault  hath  compassed  his  misfortune,  making  him 
a martyr  to  his  name. 

Who  would  call  the  tench  a whale,  or  style  a torch,  Orion  ? 

Yet  many  a silly  parent  hath  dealt  likewise  with  his  nurs- 
ling. 

Give  thy  child  a fit  distinguishment,  making  him  sole  tenant 
of  a name, 

For  it  were  a sore  hindrance  to  hold  it  in  common  with  a 
hundred ; 

In  the  Babel  of  confused  identities  fame  is  little  feasible, 

The  felon  shall  detract  from  the  philanthropist,  and  the  sage 
share  honors  with  the  simple : 

Still,  in  thy  title  of  distinguishment,  fall  not  into  arrogant  as- 
sumption, 

Steering  from  caprice  and  affectations ; and  for  all  thou  doest, 
have  a reason. 

He  that  is  ambitious  for  his  son,  should  give  him  untried 
names, 

For  those  that  have  served  other  men,  haply  may  injure  ty 
their  evils ; 


series  ii. J OF  NAMES.  323 

Or  otherwise  may  hinder  by  their  glories  ; therefore  set  him 
by  himself, 

To  win  for  his  individual  name  some  clear  specific  praise. 

There  were  nine  Homers,  all  goodly  sons  of  song ; but  where 
is  any  record  of  the  eight  7 

One  grew  to  fame,  an  Aaron’s  rod,  and  swallowed  up  his 
brethren  : (22) 

Who  knoweth  7 more  distinctly  titled,  those  dead  eight  had 
lived ; 

But  the  censers  were  ranged  in  a circle,  to  mingle  their 
sweets  without  a difference. 

Art  thou  named  of  a common  crowd,  and  sensible  of  high 
aspirings  7 

It  is  hard  for  thee  to  rise, — yet  strive  : thou  mayest  be  among 
them  a Musaeus. 

Art  thou  named  of  a family,  the  same  in  successive  genera- 
tions 7 

It  is  open  to  thee  still  to  earn  for  epithets,  such  an  one,  the 
good  or  great. 

Art  thou  named  foolishly  7 show  that  thou  art  wiser  than 
thy  fathers, 

Live  to  shame  their  vanity  or  sin  by  dutiful  devotion  to  thy 
sphere. 

Art  thou  named  discreetly  7 it  is  well,  the  course  is  free ; 

No  competitor  shall  claim  thy  colors,  neither  fix  his  faults 

# upon  thee : 

Hasten  to  the  goal  of  fame  between  the  posts  of  duty, 

And  win  a blessing  from  the  world,  that  men  may  love  thy 
name ; 

Yea,  that  the  unction  of  its  praise,  in  fragrance  well  deserv- 
ing, 

May  float  adown  the  stream  of  time,  like  ambergris  at  sea; 

So  thy  sons  may  tell  their  sons,  and  those  may  teach  their 
children, 

He  died  in  goodness,  as  he  lived ; — and  left  us  his  good  name. 


324  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

And  more  than  these  : there  is  a roll  whereon  thy  name  is 
written ; 

See  that,  on  the  book  of  Doom,  that  name  is  fixed  in  light; 

Then,  safe  within  a better  home,  where  time  and  its  titles 
are  not  found, 

God  will  give  thee  his  new  Name,  and  write  it  on  thy  heart : 

A Name,  better  than  of  sons,  a Name  dearer  than  of  daugh- 
ters, 

A Name  of  union,  peace  and  praise,  as  numbered  in  thy  God, 


OF  THINGS. 

Abstracted  from  all  substance,  and  flying  with  the  feath 
ered  flock  of  thoughts, 

The  idea  of  a thing  hath  the  nature  of  its  Soul,  a separate 
seeming  essence : 

Intimately  linked  to  the  idea,  suggesting  many  qualities, 

The  name  of  a thing  hath  the  nature  of  its  Mind,  an  intel- 
lectual recorder : 

And  the  matter  of  a thing,  concrete,  is  a Body  to  the  perfect 
creature, 

Compacted  three  in  one,  as  all  things  else  within  the  Uni- 
verse. 

Nothing  canst  thou  add  to  them,  and  nothing  take  away,  for 
all  have  these  proportions,  % 

The  thought,  the  word,  the  form,  combining  in  the  Thing : 

All  separate,  yet  harmonizing  well,  and  mingled  each  with 
other, 

One  whole  in  several  parts,  yet  each  part  spreading  to  a 
whole : 

The  idea  is  a whole,  and  the  meaning  phrase  that  spake 
idea,  a whole, 

And  the  matter,  as  ye  see  it,  is  a whole  ; the  mystery  of  true 
triunity : 


series  ii.]  OF  THINGS.  325 

Yea,  there  is  even  a deeper  mystery, — which  none,  I wot, 
can  fathom, 

Matter,  different  from  properties  whereby  the  solid  substance 
is  described. 

For,  size  and  weight,  cohesion  and  the  like,  live  distinct  from 
matter, 

Yet  who  can  imagine  matter,  unendowed  with  size  and 
weight? 

As  in  the  spiritual,  so  in  the  material,  man  must  rest  with, 
patience, 

And  wait  for  other  eyes  wherewith  to  read  the  books  of  God. 

Men  have  talked  learnedly  of  atoms,  as  if  matter  could  be 
ever  indivisible, 

They  talk,  but  ill  are  skilled  to  teach,  and  darken  truth  by 
fancies : 

An  atom  by  our  grosser  sense  was  never  yet  conceived, 

And  nothing  can  be  thought  so  small,  as  not  to  be  divided : 

For  an  atom  runneth  to  infinity,  and  never  shall  be  caught  in 
space, 

And  a molecule  is  no  more  indivisible  than  Saturn’s  belted 
orb. 

Things  intangible,  multiplied  by  multitudes,  never  will  amass 
to  substance, 

Neither  can  a thing  which  may  be  touched,  be  made  of  im- 
palpable proportions : 

The  sum  of  indivisibles  must  needs  be  indivisible,  as  adding 
many  nothings, 

And  the  building  up  of  atoms  into  matter  is  but  a silly 

sophism ; 

Lucretius,  and  keen  Anaximander,  and  many  that  have  fol- 
lowed in  their  thoughts 

(For  error  hath  a long  black  shadow,  dimming  light  for  ages), 

In  the  foolishness  of  men  without  a God  fancied  to  fashion 
Matter 


326  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  II. 

Of  intangibles,  and  therefore  uncohering,  indivisibles,  and 
therefore  Spirit. 

Things  breed  thoughts  ; therefore  at  Thebes  and  Heliopolis, 

In  hieroglyphic  sculptures  are  the  priestly  secrets  written ; 

Things  breed  thoughts ; therefore  was  the  Athens  of  idolatry 

Set  with  carved  images,  frequent  as  the  trees  of  Academus ; 

Things  breed  thoughts  ; therefore  the  Brahmin  and  the  Bur- 
man 

With  mythologic  shapes  adorn  their  coarse  pantheon ; 

Things  breed  thoughts ; therefore  the  statue  and  the  picture, 

Relics,  rosaries,  and  miracles  in  act,  quicken  the  Papist  in 
his  worship : 

Things  breed  thoughts  ; therefore  the  lovers  at  their  parting, 

Interchanged  with  tearful  smiles  the  dear  reminding  tokens ; 

Things  breed  thoughts ; therefore,  when  the  clansman  met 
his  foe, 

The  blood-stained  claymore  in  his  hand  revived  the  memo- 
ries of  vengeance. 

Things  teach  with  double  force ; through  the  animal  eye, 
and  through  the  mind, 

And  the  eye  catcheth  in  an  instant,  what  the  ear  shall  not 
learn  within  an  hour. 

Thence  is  the  potency  of  travel,  the  precious  might  of  its 
advantages 

To  compensate  its  dissipative  harm,  its  toil  and  cost  and 
danger. 

Ulysses,  wandering  to  many  shores,  lived  in  many  cities, (23) 

And  thereby  learnt  the  minds  of  men,  and  stored  his  own 
more  richly : 

Herodotus,  the  accurate  and  kindly,  spake  of  that  he  saw, 

And  reaped  his  knowledge  on  the  spot,  in  fertile  fields  of 
Egypt: 

Lycurgus  culled  from  every  clime  the  golden  fruits  of  jus- 
tice ; 


OF  THINGS. 


SERIES  II.] 


327 


And  Plato  roamed  through  foreign  lands,  to  feed  on  truth  in 
all. 

For  travel,  conversant  with  Things,  bringeth  them  in  con- 
tact with  the  mind ; 

We  breathe  the  wholesome  atmosphere  about  ungarbled 
truth : 

Pictures  of  fact  are  painted  on  the  eye,  to  decorate  the  house 
of  intellect 

Rather  than  visions  of  fancy,  filling  all  the  chambers  with  a 
vapor. 

For  in  Ideas,  the  great  mind  will  exaggerate,  and  the  lesser 
extenuate  truth : 

Butin  Things  the  one  is  chastened,  and  the  other  quickened, 
to  equality : 

And  in  Names, — though  a property  be  told,  rather  than 
some  arbitrary  accident, 

Still  shall  the  thought  be  vague  or  false,  if  none  hath  seen 
the  Thing ; 

For  in  Things  the  property  with  accident  standeth  in  a mass 
concrete, 

These  cannot  cheat  the  sense,  nor  elude  the  vigilance  of 
spirit. 

Travel  is  a ceaseless  fount  of  surface  education, 

But  its  wisdom  will  be  simply  superficial,  if  thou  add  not 
thoughts  to  things : 

Yet,  aided  by  the  varnish  of  society,  things  may  serve  for 
thoughts, 

Till  many  dullards  that  have  seen  the  world  shall  pass  for 
scholars : 

Because  one  single  glance  will  conquer  all  descriptions, 

Though  graphic,  these  left  some  unsaid,  though  true,  these 
tended  to  some  error, 

And  the  most  witless  eye  that  saw  had  a juster  notion  of  its 
object, 

Than  the  shrewdest  mind  that  heard  and  shaped  its  gathered 
thoughts  of  Things. 


328 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


OF  FAITH. 

Confidence  was  the  bearer  of  the  palm ; for  it  looked  like 
conviction  of  desert : 

And  where  the  strong  is  well  assured,  the  weaker  soon  allow 
it. 

Majesty  and  beauty  are  commingled,  in  moving  with  im- 
mutable decision, 

And  well  may  charm  the  coward  hearts  that  turn  and  hide 
for  fear. 

Faith,  firmness,  confidence,  consistency, — these  are  well  al- 
lied ; 

Yea,  let  a man  press  on  in  aught,  he  shall  not  lack  of  honor : 

For  such  an  one  seemeth  as  superior  to  the  native  instability 
of  creatures : 

That  he  doeth,  he  doeth  as  a god,  and  men  will  marvel  at 
his  courage. 

Even  in  crimes,  a partial  praise  cannot  be  denied  to  daring, 

And  many  fearless  chiefs  have  won  the  friendship  of  a foe. 

Confidence  is  conqueror  of  men ; victorious  both  over  them 
and  in  them ; 

The  iron  will  of  one  stout  heart  shall  make  a thousand 
quail : 

A feeble  dwarf,  dauntlessly  resolved,  will  turn  the  tide  of 
battle, 

And  rally  to  a nobler  strife  the  giants  that  had  fled: 

The  tenderest  child,  unconscious  of  a fear,  will  shame  the 
man  to  danger, 

And  when  he  dared  it,  danger  died,  and  faith  had  vanquished 
fear. 

Boldness  is  akin  to  power : yea,  because  ignorance  is  weak- 
ness, 


series  ii. j OF  FAITH.  329 

Knowledge  with  unshrinking  might  will  nerve  the  vigorous 
hand : 

Boldness  hath  a startling  strength : the  mouse  may  fright  a 
lion, 

And  oftentimes  the  horned  herd  is  scared  by  some  brave  cur 
Courage  hath  analogy  with  faith,  for  it  standeth  both  in 
animal  and  moral ; 

The  true  is  mindful  of  a God,  the  false  is  stout  in  self: 

But  true  or  false,  the  twain  are  faith ; and  faith  worketh 
wonders : 

Never  was  a marvel  done  upon  the  earth,  but  it  had  sprung 
of  faith : 

Nothing  noble,  generous,  or  great,  but  faith  was  the  root  of 
the  achievement ; 

Nothing  comely,  nothing  famous,  but  its  praise  is  faith. 
Leonidas  fought  in  human  faith,  as  Joshua  in  divine : 
Xenophon  trusted  to  his  skill,  and  the  sons  of  Mattathias  to 
their  cause : (w) 

In  faith  Columbus  found  a path  across  those  untried  waters : 
The  heroines  of  Arc  and  Saragossa  fought  in  earthly  faith  : 
Tell  was  strong,  and  Alfred  great,  and  Luther  wise,  by  faith  ; 
Margaret  by  faith  was  valiant  for  her  son,  and  Wallace 
mighty  for  his  people  : 

Faith  in  his  reason  made  Socrates  sublime,  as  faith  in  his 
science,  Galileo : 

Ambassadors  in  faith  are  bold,  and  unreproved  for  boldness  : 
Faith  urged  Fabius  to  delays,  and  sent  forth  Hannibal  to 
Cannae  * 

Caesar  at  the  Rubicon,  Miltiades  at  Marathon : both  were 
sped  by  faith. 

I set  not  all  in  equal  spheres : I number  not  the  martyr  with 
the  patriot ; 

I class  not  the  hero  with  his  horse,  because  the  twain  have 
courage ; 

But  only  for  ensample  and  instruction,  that  all  things  stand 
by  faith ; 


330  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Albeit  faith  of  divers  kinds,  and  varying  in  degrees. 

There  is  a faith  towards  men,  and  there  is  a faith  towards 
God; 

The  latter  is  the  gold  and  the  former  is  the  brass ; but  both 
are  sturdy  metal : 

And  the  brass  mingled  with  the  gold  floweth  into  rich  Co- 
rinthian ; 

A substance  bright  and  hard  and  keen,  to  point  Achilles* 

spear : 

So  shalt  thou  stop  the  way  against  the  foes  that  hem  thee  ; 

Trust  in  God,  to  strengthen  man ; — be  bold,  for  He  doth  help. 

Yet  more : for  confidence  in  man,  even  to  the  worst  and 
meanest, 

Hath  power  to  overcome  his  ill,  by  charitable  good. 

Fling  thine  unreserving  trust  even  on  the  conscience  of  a 
culprit, 

Soon  wilt  thou  shame  him  by  thy  faith,  and  he  will  melt 
and  mend : 

The  nest  of  thieves  will  harm  thee  not,  if  thou  dost  bear  thee 
boldly ; 

Boldly,  yea  and  kindly,  as  relying  on  their  honor : 

For  the  hand  so  stout  against  aggression,  is  quite  disarmed 
by  charity ; 

And  that  warm  sun  will  thaw  the  heart  casehardened  by 
long  frost. 

Treat  men  gently,  trust  them  strongly,  if  thou  wish  their 
weal ; 

Or  cautious  doubt  and  bitter  thoughts  will  tempt  the  best  to 
foil  thee. 

Believe  the  well  in  sanguine  hope,  and  thou  shalt  reap  the 
better ; 

But  if  thou  deal  with  men  so  ill,  thy  dealings  make  them 
worse. 

Despair  not  of  some  gleams  of  good  still  lingering  in  the 
darkest, 


series  ii.J  OF  FAITH.  331 

And  among  veterans  in  crime,  plead  thou  as  with  their  chil- 
dren : 

So  astonied  at  Humanities,  the  had  heart  long  estranged, 

Shall  even  weep  to  feel  himself  so  little  worth  thy  love ; 

In  wholesome  sorrow  will  he  bless  thee ; yea,  and  in  that 
spirit  may  repent ; 

Thus,  wilt  thou  gain  a soul,  in  mercy  given  to  thy  faith. 

Look  aside  to  lack  of  faith,  the  mass  of  ills  it  bringeth ; 

All  things  treacherous,  base,  and  vile,  dissolving  the  bro- 
therhood of  men. 

Bonds  break ; the  cement  hath  lost  its  hold ; and  each  is 
separate  from  other ; 

That  which  should  be  neighborly  and  good,  is  cankered  into 
bitterness  and  evil. 

O thou  serpent,  fell  Suspicion,  coiling  coldly  round  the 
heart, — 

O thou  asp  of  subtle  Jealousy,  stinging  hotly  to  the  soul, — 

O distrust,  reserved,  and  doubt, — what  reptile  shapes  are 
h&e, 

Poisoning  the  garden  of  a world  with  death  among  its  flow- 
ers! 

No  need  of  many  words,  the  tale  is  easy  to  be  told : 

A point  will  touch  the  truth,  a line  suggest  the  picture. 

For  if  in  thine  own  home,  a cautious  man  and  captious, 

Thou  hintest  at  suspicion  of  a servant,  thou  soon  wilt  make 
a thief ; 

Or  if  too  keen  in  care,  thou  dost  evidently  disbelieve  thy 
child, 

Thou  hast  injured  the  texture  of  his  honor,  and  smoothed  to 
him  the  way  of  lying  . 

Or  if  thou  observest  upon  friends,  as  seeking  thee  selfishly 
for  interest, 

Thou  hast  hurt  their  kindliness  to  thee,  and  shalt  be  paid 
with  scorn : 

Or  if,  O silly  ones  of  marriage,  your  foul  and  foolish  thoughts. 


332  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Harshly  misinterpreting  in  each  the  levity  of  innocence  for 
sin, 

Shall  pour  upon  the  lap  of  home  pain  where  once  was  plea- 
sure, 

And  mix  contentions  in  the  cup,  that  mantled  once  with 
comforts. 

Bitterly  and  justly  shall  ye  rue  the  punishment  due  to  unbe- 
lief; 

Ye  trust  not  each  the  other,  nor  the  mutual  vows  of  God ; 

Take  heed,  for  the  pit  may  now  be  near,  a pit  of  your  own 
digging,— 

Faith  abused  tempteth  unto  crime,  and  doubt  may  make  its 
monster. 

Man  verily  is  vile,  but  more  in  capability  than  action  ; 

His  sinfulness  is  deep,  but  his  transgressions  may  be  few, 
even  from  the  absence  of  temptation  : 

He  is  hanging  in  a gulf  midway,  but  the  air  is  breathable 
about  him : 

Thrust  him  not  from  that  slight  hold,  to  perish  in  the  vapors 
underneath, 

For,  God  pleadeth  with  the  deaf,  as  having  ears  to  hear, 

Christ  speaketh  to  the  dead,  as  those  that  are  capable  of 
living ; 

And  an  evil  teacher  is  that  man,  a tempter  to  much  sin, 

Who  looketh  on  his  hearers  with  distrust,  and  hath  no  con- 
fidence in  brethren. 

All  may  mend ; and  sympathies  are  healing ; and  reason 
hath  its  influence  with  the  worst ; 

And  in  those  worst  is  ample  hope,  if  only  thou  have  charity, 
and  faith. 

Some  whiles  have  I watched  a man  exchanging  the  sobriety 
of  faith, 

Old  lamps  for  new, — even  for  fanatical  excitements. 

He  gained  surface,  but  lost  solidity  ; heat,  in  lieu  of  health; 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  FAITH. 


333 


And  still  with  swelling  words  and  thoughts  he  scorned  his 
ancient  coldness : 

But,  his  strength  was  shorn  as  Samson’s;  he  walked  he 
knew  not  whither  ; 

Doubt  was  on  his  daily  path ; and  duties  showed  not  cer- 
tain. 

Until,  in  an  hour  of  enthusiasm,  stung  with  secret  fears, 

He  pinned  the  safety  of  his  soul  on  some  false  prophet’s 
sleeve. 

And  then,  that  sure  word  failed ; and  with  it,  failed  his 
faith. 

It  failed,  and  fell ; O deep  and  dreadful  was  his  fall  in  faith. 

He  could  not  stop,  with  reason’s  rein,  his  coursers  on  the 
slope, 

And  so  they  dashed  him  down  the  cliff  of  hardened  unbe- 
lief. 

With  overreaching  grasp  he  had  strained  for  visionary  trea- 
sures, 

But  a fiend  had  cheated  his  presumption,  and  hurled  him  to 
despair. 

So  he  lay  in  his  blood,  the  victim  of  a credulous  false  faith, 

And  many  nights,  and  night-like  days,  he  dwelt  in  outer 
darkness. 

But,  within  a while,  his  variable  mind  caught  a new  im- 
pression, 

A new  impression  of  the  good  old  stamp,  that  sealed  him 
when  a child . 

He  was  softened,  and  abjured  his  infidelity ; he  was  wiser, 
and  despised  his  credulity ; 

And  turned  again  to  simple  faith  more  simply  than  before. 

Experience  had  declared  too  well  his  mind  was  built  of 
water, 

And  so  renouncing  strength  in  self,  he  fixed  his  faith  in  God. 

It  is  not  for  me  to  stipulate  for  creeds ; Bible,  Church,  and 
Reason, 


334  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

These  three  shall  lead  the  mind,  if  any  can,  to  truth. 

But  l must  stipulate  for  faith  ; both  God  and  man  demand  it: 

Trust  is  great  in  either  world,  if  any  would  be  well. 

Verily,  the  sceptical  propensity  is  an  universal  foe  ; 

Sneering  Pyrrho  never  found,  nor  cared  to  find,  a friend : 

How  could  he  trust  another  1 and  himself,  whom  would  he 
not  deceive  ? 

His  proper  gains  were  all  his  aim,  and  interests  clash  with 
kindness. 

So,  the  Bedouin  goeth  armed,  an  enemy  to  all, 

The  spear  is  stuck  beside  his  couch,  the  dagger  hid  beneath 
his  pillow. 

For  society,  void  of  mutual  trust,  of  credit,  and  of  faith, 

Would  fall  asunder  as  a waterspout,  snapped  from  the  cloud’s 
attraction. 

Faith  may  rise  into  miracles  of  might,  as  some  few  wise 

have  shown : 

Faith  may  sink  into  credulities  of  weakness,  as  the  mass  of 
fools  have  witnessed. 

Therefore,  in  the  first,  saints  and  martyrs  have  fulfilled  their 
mission, 

Conquering  dangers,  courting  deaths,  and  triumphing  in  all. 

Therefore,  in  the  last,  the  magician  and  the  witch,  victims 
of  their  own  delusion, 

Have  gained  the  bitter  wages  of  impracticable  sins. 

They  believed  in  allegiance  with  Satan ; they  worked  in 
that  belief, 

And  thereby  earned  the  loss  and  harm  of  guilt  that  might  not 
be. 

For,  faith  hath  two  hands  ; with  the  one  it  addeth  virtue  to 
indifferents ; 

Yea,  it  sanctified  a Judith  and  a Jael,  for  what  otherwise 
were  treachery  and  murder  : 

With  the  other  hand  it  heapeth  crime  even  on  impossibles 
or  simples, 


series  ii.]  OF  FAITH.  335 

And  many  a wizard  well  deserved  the  faggot  for  his  faith  : 

He  trusted  in  his  intercourse  with  evil,  he  sacrificed  heartily 
to  fiends, 

He  withered  up  with  curses  to  the  limit  of  his  will,  and  was 
vile,  because  he  thought  himself  a villain. 

A great  mind  is  ready  to  believe,  for  he  hungereth  to  feed 
on  facts, 

And  the  gnawing  stomach  of  his  ignorance  craveth  unceas- 
ing to  be  filled  : S 

A little  mind  is  boastful  and  incredulous,  for  he  fancieth  all 
knowledge  is  his  own, 

So  will  he  cavil  at  a truth  ; how  should  it  be  true,  and  he 
not  know  it  7 — 

There  is  an  easy  scheme,  to  solve  all  riddles  by  the  sensual, 

And  thus  despising  mysteries,  to  feel  the  more  sufficient: 

For  it  comforteth  the  foul  hard  heart,  to  reject  the  pure  nn- 
seen, 

And  relievoth  the  dull  soft  head,  to  hinder  one  from  gazing 
upon  vacancy. 

True  wisdom,  laboring  to  expound,  heareth  others  readily; 

False  wisdom,  sturdy  to  deny,  closeth  up  her  mind  to  argu- 
ment. 

The  sum  of  certainties  is  found  so  small,  their  field  so  wide 
an  universe, 

That  many  things  may  truly  be,  which  man  hath  not  con- 
ceived : 

The  characters  revealed  of  God  are  a strong  mind’s  sole 
assurance 

That  any  strangeness  may  not  stand  a sober  theme  for  faith. 

Ignorance  being  light  denied,  this  ought  to  show  the  stronger 
in  its  view, 

But  ignorance  is  commonly  a double  negative,  both  of  light 
and  morals : 

So,  adding  vanity  to  blindness,  for  ease  it  taketh  refuge  in  a 
doubt, 


336  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

And  aching  soon  with  ceaseless  doubt,  it  finishetli  the  strife 
by  misbelieving. 

Faith,  by  its  very  nature,  shall  embrace  both  credence  and 

obedience : 

Yea,  the  word  for  both  is  one,  and  cannot  be  divided.  (25) 

For,  w ork  void  of  faith,  wherein  can  it  be  counted  for  a duty  ; 

And  faith  not  seen  in  work, — whereby  can  the  doctrine  be 
discovered  7 

Faith  in  religion  is  an  instrument ; a handle,  and  the  hand 
to  turn  it ; 

Less  a condition  than  a mean,  and  more  an  operation  than  a 
virtue. 

A moral  sickness,  like  to  sin,  must  have  a moral  cure ; 

And  faith  alone  can  heal  the  mind,  whose  malady  is  sense. 

Ye  are  told  of  God’s  deep  love  ; they  that  believe  will  love 
him ; 

They  that  love  him,  will  obey ; and  obedience  hath  its  bles- 
sing. 

Ye  are  taught  of  the  soul’s  great  price : they  that  believe 
will  prize  it, 

And,  prizing  soul,  will  cherish  well  the  hopes  that  make  it 
happy. 

Effects  spring  from  feelings  : and  feelings  grow  of  faith : 

If  a man  conceive  himself  insulted,  will  not  his  anger  smite  7 

Thus,  let  a soul  believe  his  state,  his  danger,  destiny,  re- 
demption, 

Will  he  not  feel  eager  to  be  safe,  like  him  that  kept  the 
prison  at  Philippi  7 

A mother  had  an  only  son,  and  sent  him  out  to  sea : 

She  was  a widow,  and  in  penury ; and  he  must  seek  his 
fortunes. 

How  often  in  the  wintry  nights,  when  winds  and  waves 
were  howling, 


series  ii.J  OF  HONESTY.  337 

Her  heart  was  torn  with  sickening  dread,  and  bled  to  see  her 
boy. 

And  on  cne  sunny  morn,  when  all  around  was  comfort, 

News  came,  that  weeks  agone,  the  vessel  had  been  wrecked ; 

Yea,  wrecked,  and  he  was  dead  ! they  had  seen  him  perish 
in  his  agony : 

Oh  then,  what  agony  was  like  to  hers, — for  she  believed  the 
tale  ! 

She  was  bowed  and  broken  down  with  sorrow,  and  uncom- 
forted in  prayer ; 

Many  nights  she  mourned,  and  pined,  and  had  no  hope  but 
death. 

But  on  a day,  while  sorely  she  was  weeping,  a stranger 
broke  upon  her  loneliness, — 

He  had  news  to  tell,  that  weather-beaten  man,  and  must  not 
be  denied : 

And  what  were  the  wonder-working  words  that  made  this 
mourner  joyous, 

That  swept  her  heaviness  away,  and  filled  her  world  with 
praise  1 

Her  son  was  saved, — is  alive, — is  near ! — O did  she  stop  to 
question  ! 

No,  rushing  in  the  force  of  faith,  she  met  him  at  the  door ! 


OF  HONESTY. 

All  is  vanity  which  is  not  honesty  ; — thus  is  it  graven  on 
the  tomb  ; — 

And  there  is  no  wisdom  but  in  piety;  so  the  dead  man 
preacheth : 

For,  in  a simple  village  church,  among  those  classic  shades 

Which  sylvan  Evelyn  loved  to  rear  (his  praise  and  my  de- 
light), 

These  the  words  of  truth,  are  writ  upon  his  sepulchre, 

16 


338 


FROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  'series  ii. 


Who  learnt  much  lore,  and  knew  all  trees  from  the  cedar  to 
the  hyssop  on  the  wall. 

A just  co junction,  godliness  and  honesty,  ministering  to 
both  worlds, 

We1!  wed,  and  ill  to  be  divided,  a pair  that  God  hath  joined 

together. 

I touch  not  now  the  vulgar  thought,  as  of  tricks  and  cheate- 
ries  in  trade ; 

I speak  not  of  honest  purpose,  character,  speech,  and  action: 
For  an  honest  man  hath  special  need  of  charity  and  pru- 
dence, 

Of  a deep  and  humbling  self-acquaintance,  and  of  blessed 
commerce  with  his  God, 

So  that  the  keennesses  of  truth  may  be  freed  from  asperities 

of  censure, 

And  the  jnst  but  vacillating  mind  be  not  made  the  pendulum 
of  arguments : 

For  a false  reason,  shrewdly  put,  can  often  not  be  answered 
on  the  instant, 

And  prudence  looketh  unto  faith,  content  to  wait  solutions ; 
Yea,  it  looketh,  yea,  it  waiteth,  still  holding  honesty  in 
leash, 

Lest,  as  a hot  young  hound,  it  track  not  game,  but  vermin. 
Many  a man  of  honest  heart,  but  ignorant  of  self  and  God, 
Hath  followed  the  marsh-fires  of  pestilence,  esteeming  tlr  _a 
the  lights  of  truth  : 

He  heard  a cause,  which  he  had  not  skill  to  solve,  and  so 
received  it  gladly, 

And  that  cause  brought  its  consequence,  of  harm  to  an  un- 
stable soul. 

Prudence,  for  man’s  own  sake,  never  should  be  separate  from 

honesty ; 

And  charity,  for  others’  good  and  his,  must  still  be  joined 

therewith. 

For  the  harshly  chiding  tongue  hath  neither  pleasuring  nor 

profit, 


series  ii. j OF  HONESTY.  339 

And  the  cold  unsympathizing  heart  never  gained  a good. 

Sin  is  a sore,  and  folly  is  a fever ; touch  them  tenderly  for 

healing: 

The  bad  chirurgeon’s  awkward  knife  harmeth  spite  of  hon- 
esty. 

S' ill,  a rough  diamond  is  better  than  the  polished  paste, — 

That  courteous  flattering  fool,  who  spake  of  vice  as  virtue : 

And  honesty  even  by  though  making  many  adversaries 

Whom  prudence  might  have  set  aside,  or  charity  have  soft- 
ened, 

Evermore  will  prosper  at  the  last,  and  gain  a man  great 
honor 

By  giving  others  many  goods,  to  his  own  cost  and  hinder- 
ance. 

Freedom  is  father  of  the  honest,  and  sturdy  Independence  is 
his  brother ; 

These  three,  with  heart  and  hand  dwell  together  in  unity. 

The  blunt  yeoman,  stout  and  true,  will  speak  unto  princes 
unabashed : 

His  mind  is  loyal,  just,  and  free,  a crystal  in  its  plain  integrity ; 

What  should  make  such  an  one  ashamed  ? where  courtiers 
kneel,  he  standeth  ; — 

I will  indeed  bow  before  the  king,  but  knees  were  knit  for 
God. 

And  many  such  there  be  of  a high  and  noble  conscience, 

Honorable,  generous,  and  kind,  though  blessed  with  little 
light : 

What  should  he  barter  for  his  freedom  ? some  petty  gain  of 
gold? 

Free  of  speech  and  free  in  act,  magnates  honor  him  for  bold- 
ness : 

Long  may  he  flourish  in  his  peace,  and  a stalwart  race  around 
him, 

Rooted  in  the  soil  like  oaks,  and  hardy  as  the  pine  upon  the 
mountains  ! 


340  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  H. 

Yet,  there  he  others,  that  will  truckle  to  a lie,  selling  honesty 
for  interest : 

And  do  they  gain  7 — they  gain  but  loss . a little  cash,  with 
scorn. 

Behold,  the  sorrowful  change  wrought  upon  a fallen  nature  : 

He  hath  lost  his  own  esteem,  and  other  men’s  respect ; 

For  the  buoyancy  of  upright  faith,  he  is  clothed  in  the  heavi- 
ness of  cringing ; 

For  plain  truth  where  none  could  err,  he  had  chosen  tortuous 
paths ; 

In  lieu  of  his  majesty  of  countenance — the  timorous  glances 
of  servility. 

Instead  of  Freedom’s  honest  pride, — the  spirit  of  a slave. 

Nevertheless,  there  is  somewhat  to  be  pleaded,  even  for  a 
necessary  guile, 

Whilst  the  world  and  all  that  is  therein,  lieth  deep  in  evil. 

Who  can  be  altogether  honest, — a champion  never  out  of 
mail, 

Ready  to  break  a lance  for  truth  with  every  crowding  error  7 

Who  can  be  altogether  honest, — dragging  out  the  secresies 
of  life, 

And  risking  to  be  lashed  and  loathed  for  each  unkind  disclo- 
sure 7 

Who  can  be  altogether  honest, — living  in  perpetual  conten- 
tions, 

And  prying  out  the  petty  cheats  that  swell  the  social  scheme  7 

For  he  must  speak  his  instant  mind, — a mind  corrupt  and 
sinful, 

Exhibiting  to  other  men’s  disgust  its  undisguised  deformities ; 

He  must  utter  all  the  hatred  of  his  heart,  and  add  to  it  the 
venom  of  his  tongue ; 

Shall  he  feel  and  hide  his  feelings  7 that  were  the  meanness 
of  a hypocrite. — 

Still,  O man,  such  hypocrisy  is  better  than  this  bold  honesty 
to  sin : 


series  n.J  OF  HONESTY.  341 

Kill  the  feeling,  or  conceal  it : let  shame  at  least  do  the  work 
of  charity. 

O charity,  thou  livest  not  in  warnings,  meddling  among 
men, 

Rebuking  every  foolish  word,  and  censuring  small  sins ; 

This  is  not  thy  secret, — rather  wilt  thou  hide  their  multi- 
tude, 

And  silence  the  condemning  tongue,  and  wearisome  exhor- 
tation, 

But  for  thee,  thy  strength  and  zeal  shine  in  encouragement 
to  good, 

Lifting  up  the  lantern  of  ensample,  that  wanderers  may  find 
the  way : 

That  lantern  is  not  lit  to  gaze  on  all  the  hatefulness  of  evil, 

But  set  on  high  for  life  and  light,  the  loveliness  of  good. 

The  hard  censorious  mind  sitteth  as  a keen  anatomist 

Tracking  up  the  fibres  in  corruption,  and  prying  on  a fearful 
corpse : 

But  the  charitable  soul  is  a young  lover,  enamored  little 
wisely, 

That  saw  no  fault  in  her  he  loved,  and  sought  to  see  one 
less, 

So,  in  his  kind  and  genial  light,  she  grew  more  worthy  of 
his  love ; 

Won  to  good  by  gentle  suns  and  not  by  frowning  tempest. 

Verily,  infirm  thyself, — be  slow  to  chide  a brother’s  imper- 
fections, 

For  many  times  the  decent  veil  must  hang  on  faults  of  na- 
ture, 

And  the  rude  hands,  that  rend  it,  offend  against  the  modesty 
of  right, 

While  seeming  zeal,  and  its  effort  to  do  good,  is  only  feigned 
self-praise : 

Often  will  the  meannesses  of  life,  hidden  away  in  corners, 


342  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Prove  wisdom ; and  the  generous  is  glad  to  leave  them  unre- 
garded in  the  shade. 

The  follies  none  are  found  to  praise,  let  them  die  unblamed : 

Thine  honest  strife  will  only  tend  to  make  some  think  them 
wise : 

And  small  conventional  deceits,  let  them  live  uncensured  : 

Or  if  thou  war  with  pigmies,  thou  shalt  haply  help  the 
cranes. 

Where  to  be  blind  was  safety,  Ovid  had  been  wise  for  wink- 
ing: (26) 

And  when  a tell-tale  might  do  harm,  be  sure  it  is  prudent  to 
be  dumb : 

That  which  is  just  and  fit  is  often  found  combating  with 
honesty : 

In  the  cause  of  good,  be  wise  ; and  in  a case  indifferent,  keep 
silence 

Let  honesty’s  unblushing  face  be  shaded  by  the  mantle  of 
humility, 

So  shall  it  shine  a lamp  of  love,  and  not  the  torch  of  strife  : 

Otherwise  the  lantern  of  Diogenes,  presumptuously  thrust  be- 
fore the  face, 

If  it  never  find  an  honest  man,  shall  often  make  an  angered. 

Let  honesty  be  companied  by  charity  of  heart,  lest  it  walk 
unwelcome, 

Or  the  mouthing  censor  of  others  and  himself,  soon  shall 
sink  to  scorn. 

Let  honesty  be  added  unto  innocence  of  life : then  a man  may 
only  be  its  martyr : 

But  if  openness  of  speech  be  found  with  secresy  of  guilt,  the 
martyr  will  be  seen  a malefactor. 

There  is  a cunning  scheme,  to  put  on  surface  bluntness, 

And  cover  still  deep  water,  with  the  clamorous  ripples  of  a 
shallow. 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  HONESTY. 


343 


For  a man,  to  gain  his  selfish  ends,  will  make  a stalking 
horse  of  honesty ; 

And  hide  his  poaching  limbs  behind,  that  he  may  cheat  the 
quicker. 

Such  a one  is  loud  and  ostentatious,  full  of  oaths  for  argu- 
ment, 

Boastful  of  honor  and  sincerity,  and  not  to  be  put  down  by 
facts  : 

He  is  obstinate,  and  showeth  it  for  firmness  ; he  is  rude,  dis- 
playing it  for  truth ; 

And  glorieth  in  doggedness  of  temper,  as  if  it  were  uncom- 
promising justice. 

Be  aware  of  such  a man ; his  brawling  covereth  designs ; 

This  specious  show  of  honesty  cometh  as  the  herald  of  a 
thief : 

His  feint  is  made  with  awkward  clashing  on  the  buckler’s  boss, 

But  meanwhile  doth  his  secret  skill  ensure  its  fatal  aim. 

This  is  the  hypocrite  of  honesty ; ye  may  know  him  by  an 
overacted  part ; 

Taking  pains  to  turn  and  twist,  where  other  men  walk 
straight ; 

Or  walking  straight,  he  will  not  step  aside  to  let  another  pass, 

But  roughly  pusheth  on,  provoking  opposition  on  the  way ; 

He  is  full  of  disquietude  for  calmness,  full  of  intriguing  for 
simplicity, 

Valorous  with  those  who  cannot  fight,  and  humble  to  the 
brave : 

Where  brotherly  advice  were  good,  this  man  rudely  blameth, 

And  on  some  small  occasion,  flattereth  with  coarse  praise. 

The  craven  in  a lion’s  skin  hath  conquered  by  his  character 
for  courage ; 

Sheep’s  clothing  helped  the  wolf,  till  he  slew  by  his  cha- 
racter for  kindness. 

For  honesty  hath  many  gains,  and  well  the  wise  have 
known 


344  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  h. 

This  will  prosper  to  the  end,  and  fill  their  house  with  gold. 
The  phosphorus  of  cheatery  will  fade,  and  all  its  profit  perish, 
While  honesty  with  growing  light  endureth  as  the  moon. 
Yea,  it  would  be  wise  in  a world  of  thieves,  where  cheating 
were  a virtue, 

To  dare  the  vice  of  honesty,  if  any  would  be  rich. 

For  that  which  by  the  laws  of  God  is  heightened  into  duty, 
Ever,  in  the  practice  of  a man,  will  be  seen  both  policy  and 
privilege. 

Thank  God,  ye  toilers  for  your  bread,  in  that,  daily  laboring, 
He  hath  suffered  the  bubbles  of  self-interest  to  float  upon  the 
stream  of  duty : 

For  honesty,  of  every  kind,  approved  by  God  and  man, 

Of  wealth  and  better  weal  is  found  the  richest  cornucopia. 
Tempered  by  humbleness  and  charity,  honesty  of  speech 
hath  honor ; 

And  mingled  well  with  prudence,  honesty  of  purpose  hath 
its  praise  ; 

Trust  payeth  homage  unto  truth,  rewarding  honesty  of  ac- 
tion ; 

And  all  men  love  to  lean  on  him,  who  never  failed  nor  fainted. 
Freedom  gloweth  in  his  eyes  and  nobleness  of  nature  at 
his  heart, 

And  Independence  took  a crown  and  fixed  it  on  his  head  : 

So,  he  stood  in  his  integrity,  just  and  firm  of  purpose, 

Aiding  many,  fearing  none,  a spectacle  to  angels  and  to  men : 
Yea, — when  the  shattered  globe  shall  rock  in  the  throes  of 
dissolution, 

Still,  will  he  stand  in  his  integrity,  sublime— an  honest  man. 


OF  SOCIETY. 

Better  is  the  mass  of  men,  Suspi/ion,  than  thy  fears, 
Kinder  than  thy  thoughts,  O chilling  heart  of  Prudence, 
Purer  than  thy  judgments,  ascetic  tongue  of  censure, 
24* 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  SOCIETY. 


345 


In  all  things  worthier  to  love,  if  not  also  wiser  to  esteem. 

Yea,  let  the  moralist  condemn,  there  be  large  extenuations 
of  his  verdict, 

Let  the  misanthrope  shun  men,  and  abjure,  the  most  are 
rather  lovable  than  hateful. 

How  many  pleasant  faces  shed  their  light  on  every  side, 

How  ma*,T  •>ngels  unawares  have  crossed  thy  casual  way  ! 

How  otter  in  thy  journeyings,  hast  thou  made  thee  instant 
friands, 

Found  tc  be  loved  a little  while,  and  lost,  to  meet  no  more  ; 

Friends  of  happy  reminiscence,  although  so  transient  in  their 
converse, 

Liberal,  cheerful,  and  sincere,  a crowd  of  kindly  traits. 

I have  sped  by  land  and  sea,  and  mingled  with  much  people, 

But  never  yet  could  find  the  spot  unsunned  by  human  kind- 
ness ; 

Some  more,  and  some  less, — but,  truly,  all  can  claim  a little ; 

And  a man  may  travel  through  the  world,  and  sow  it  thick 
with  friendships. 

There  be  indeed,  to  say  it  in  all  sorrow,  bad  apostate  souls, 

Deserted  of  their  ministering  angels,  and  given  up  to  liberty 
of  sin, — 

And  other  some,  the  miserly  and  mean,  whose  eyes  are  keen 
and  greedy, 

With  stony  hearts,  and  iron  fists,  to  filch,  and  scrape,  and 
clutch, — 

And  others  yet  again,  the  coarse  in  mind,  selfish,  sensual, 
brutish, 

Seeming  as  incapable  of  softer  thoughts,  and  dead  to  better 
deeds, 

Such,  no  lover  of  the  good,  no  follower  of  the  generous  and 
gentle, 

Can  nearer  grow  to  love,  than  may  consist  with  pity. 

Few  verily  are  these  among  the  mass,  and  cast  in  fouler 
moulds, 


16* 


34G  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Few  and  poor  in  friends,  and  well-deserving  of  their  poverty: 

Yet,  or  ever  thou  hast  harshly  judged,  and  linked  their  pre- 
sence to  disgust. 

Consider  well  the  thousand  things  that  made  them  all  they 
are. 

Thou  hast  not  thought  upon  the  causes,  ranged  in  consecu- 
tive necessity, 

Which  tended  long  to  these  effects,  with  sure  constraining 
power. 

For  each  of  those  unlovely  ones,  if  thou  couldst  hear  his 
story, 

Hath  much  to  urge  of  just  excuse,  at  least  as  men  count  jus- 
tice : 

Foolish  education,  thwarted  opportunities,  natural  propensi- 
ties unchecked, — 

Thus  were  they  discouraged  from  all  good,  and  pampered  in 
their  evil : 

And  if  thou  wilt  apprehend  them  well,  tenderly  looking  on 
temptations, 

Bearing  the  base  indulgently,  and  liberally  dealing  with  the 
fro  ward, 

Thou  shalt  discern  a few  fair  fruits  even  upon  trees  so 
withered, 

Thou  shalt  understand  how  some  may  praise,  and  some  be 
found  to  love  them. 

Nevertheless  for  these,  my  counsel  is,  Avoid  them  if  thou 
canst ; 

For  the  finer  edges  of  thy  virtues  will  be  dulled  by  attrition 
with  their  vice. 

And  there  is  an  enemy  within  thee  ; either  to  palliate  their 
sin, 

Until,  for  surface  sweetness,  thou  too  art  drawn  adown  the 
vortex ; 

Or,  even  unto  fatal  pride,  to  glorify  thy  purity  by  contrast, 


SERIES  H.J 


OF  SOCIETY. 


347 


Until  the  publican  and  harlot  stand  nearer  heaven  than  the 
Pharisee : 

Or  daily  strife  against  their  ill,  in  subtleness  may  irritate  thy 
soul, 

And  in  that  struggle  thou  shalt  fail,  even  through  infirmity 
of  goodness ; 

Or,  callous  by  continuance  of  injuries,  thou  wilt  cease  to 
pardon, 

Cease  to  feel,  and  cease  to  care,  a cold  case-hardened  man. 

Beware  of  their  example, — and  thine  own;  beware  the 
hazards  of  the  battle : 

But  chiefly  be  thou  ware  of  this,  an  unforgiving  spirit. 

Many  are  the  dangers  and  temptations  compassing  a bad 
in  in’s  presence : 

The  upas  hath  a poisonous  shade,  and  who  would  slumber 
there  1 

Wherefore,  avoid  them  if  thou  canst ; only,  under  providence 
and  duty. 

If  thy  lot  be  cast  with  Kedar,  patiently  and  silently  live  to 
their  rebuke. 

How  beautiful  thy  feet,  and  full  of  grace  thy  coming, 

O better  kind  companion,  that  art  well  for  either  world ! 

There  is  an  atmosphere  of  happiness  floating  round  that 
man, 

Love  is  throned  upon  his  heart,  and  light  is  found  within 
his  dwelling, 

His  eyes  are  rayed  with  peacefulness,  and  wisdom  waiteth 
on  his  tongue ; 

Seek  him  out,  cherish  him  well,  walking  in  the  halo  of  his 
influence ; 

For  he  shall  be  fragrance  to  thy  soul,  as  a garden  of  sweet 
lilies, 

Hedged  and  apart  from  the  outer  world,  an  island  of  the  blest 
among  the  seas. 

There  is  an  outer  world,  and  there  is  an  inner  centre ; 


348  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

And  many  varying  rings  concentric  round  the  self. 

For,  first,  about  a man, — after  his  communion  with  heaven, — 

Is  found  the  helpmate  even  as  himself,  the  wife  of  his  vows 
and  his  affections : 

See  then  that  ye  love  in  faith,  scorning  petty  jealousies, 

For  Satan  spoileth  too  much  love,  by  souring  it  with  doubts  ; 

See  that  intimacy  die  not  to  indifference,  nor  anxiety  sink 
into  moroseness, 

And  tend  ye  well  the  mutual  minds  bound  in  a copaj  tner- 
ship  for  life. 

Next  of  those  concentric  circles,  radiating  widely  in  circum- 
ference, 

Wheel  in  wheel,  and  world  in  world, — come  the  band  of 
children : 

A tender  nest  of  soft  young  hearts,  each  to  be  separately  stu- 
died, 

A curious  eager  flock  of  minds,  to  be  severally  tamed  and 
tutored. 

And  a man,  blest  with  these,  hath  made  his  own  society, 

He  is  independent  of  the  world,  hanging  on  his  friends  more 
loosely. 

For  the  little  faces  around  his  hearth  are  friends  enow  for 
him, 

If  he  seek  others,  it  is  for  sake  of  these,  and  less  for  his  own 
pleasure. 

What  companionship  so  sweet,  yea,  who  can  teach  so  well 

As  these  pure  budding  intellects,  and  bright  unsullied  hearts? 

What  voice  so  musical  as  theirs,  what  visions  of  elegance  so 
comely, 

What  thoughts  and  hopes  and  holy  prayers,  can  others  cause 
like  these  ? 

If  ye  count  society  for  pastime, — what  happier  recreation 
than  a nursling, 

Its  winning  ways,  its  prattling  tongue,  its  innocence  and 
mirth  ? 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  SOCIETY. 


349 


If  ye  count  society  for  good, — how  fair  a field  is  here, 

To  guide  these  souls  to  God,  and  multiply  thyself  for  heaven ! 


And  this  sweet  social  commerce  with  thy  children,  groweth 
as  their  growth, 

Unless  thou  fail  of  duty,  or  have  weaned  them  by  thine 
absence. 

Keep  them  near  thee,  rear  them  well,  guide,  correct,  instruct 
them : 

And  be  the  playmate  of  their  games,  the  judge  in  their  com- 
plainings. 

So  shall  the  maiden  and  the  youth  love  thee  as  their  sympa- 
thizing friend, 

And  bring  their  joys  to  share  with  thee,  their  sorrows  for 
consoling: 

Yea,  their  inmost  hopes  shall  yearn  to  thee  for  counsel, 

They  will  not  hide  their  very  loves  if  thou  hast  won  their 
trust ; 

But,  even  as  man  and  woman,  shall  they  gladly  seek  their 
father, 

Feeling  yet  as  children  feel,  though  void  of  fear  in  honor: 

And  thou  shalt  be  a Nestor  in  the  camp,  the  just  and  good 
old  man, 

Hearty  still,  though  full  of  years,  and  held  the  friend  of  all ; 

No  secret  shall  be  kept  from  thee  ; for  if  ill,  thy  wisdom  may 
repair  it : 

If  well,  thy  praise  is  precious ; and  they  would  not  miss  that 
prize. 

O the  blessing  of  a home,  where  old  and  young  mix  kindly, 

The  young  unawed,  the  old  unchilled,  in  unreserved  com- 
munion ! 

O that  refuge  from  the  world,  when  a stricken  son  or 
daughter 

May  seek  with  confidence  of  love,  a father’s  hearth  and 
heart ; 


J 


350 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


Sure  of  a welcome,  though  others  cast  them  out ; of  kind- 
ness, though  men  scorn  them  ; 

And  finding  there  the  last  to  blame,  the  earliest  to  commend. 

Come  unto  me,  my  son,  if  sin  shall  have  tempted  thee  astray, 

I will  not  chide  thee  like  the  rest,  but  help  thee  to  return  ; 

Come  unto  me,  my  son,  if  men  rebuke  and  mock  thee, 

There  always  shall  be  one  to  bless, — for  I am  on  thy  side ! 

Alas, — and  bitter  is  their  loss,  the  parents  and  the  children, 

Who,  loving  up  and  down  the  world,  have  missed  each 
other’s  friendship. 

Haply,  it  had  grown  of  careless  life,  for  years  go  swiftly  by ; 

Or  sprang  of  too  much  carefulness,  that  drank  up  all  the 
streams : 

Haply,  sullen  disappointment  came  and  quenched  the  fire  ; 

Haply,  sternness  or  misrule,  crushed  or  warped  the  feelings. 

Then,  ill-combined  in  tempers,  they  learnt  not  each  the 
other ; 

The  growing  child  grew  out  of  love,  and  drew  the  breath  of 
fear ; 

The  youth  ill-trained  renounced  his  fears,  and  made  a league 
with  cunning ; 

And  so  those  hardened  men  were  foes,  that  should  have  bee* 
chief  friends. 

Where  was  the  cause,  the  mutual  cause  1 O hunt  it  out  to 
kill  it: 

And  what  the  cure,  the  simple  cure  1 — A mutual  flash  of  love. 

For  dull  estrangement’s  daily  air  froze  up  those  early  sym- 
pathies 

By  cold  continuance  in  apathy,  or  cutting  winds  of  censure  ; 

It  was  a slow  process,  which  any  fleeting  hour  could  have 
melted ; 

But  every  hour  duly  came  and  passed  without  the  sun. 

Caution,  care,  and  dry  distrust,  obscured  each  other’s  mind, 

Till  both  those  gardens  rich  to  yield,  were  rank  with  many 
weeds : 


series  ii.]  OF  SOCIETY.  351 

And  doubt,  a hidden  worm,  gnawed  at  t£.e  root  of  their  So- 
ciety, 

They  lacked  of  mutual  confidence,  and  lived  in  mutual 
dread. 

Judge  me,  many  fathers  ; and  hearken  to  my  counsel,  many 
sons ; 

I come  with  good  in  either  hand,  to  reconcile  contentions  : 

For  better  friends  can  no  man  have,  than  those  whom  God 
hath  given, 

And  he  that  hath  despised  the  gift,  thought  ill  of  that  he 
knew  not. 

But  be  ye  wiser — (I  speak  unto  the  sons), — and  win  paternal 
friendships, 

Cultivate  their  kindness,  seek  them  out  with  honor,  and  be 
the  screening  Japheth  to  their  failings  : 

And  be  ye  wiser — (I  speak  unto  the  fathers), — gain  those 
filial  comrades, 

Cherish  their  reasonable  converse,  and  look  not  with  cold- 
ness on  your  children. 

For  the  friendship  of  a child  is  the  brightest  gem  set  upon 
the  circlet  of  Society, 

A jewel  worth  a world  of  pains, — a jewel  seldom  seen. 


The  third  cycle  on  the  waters,  another  of  those  rings  upon 
the  onyx, 

A further  definite  broad  zone,  holdeth  kith  and  kin : 

A motley  band  of  many  tribes,  and  under  various  banners ; 

The  intimate  and  strangers,  the  known  and  loved,  or  only 
seen  for  loathing : 

Some,  dear  for  their  deserts,  shall  honor  and  have  honor  of 
relationship, 

Some,  despising  duties,  will  add  to  it  both  burden  and  dis- 
grace. 

A man’s  nearest  kin  are  oftentimes  far  other  than  his  dearest, 

Yet  in  the  season  of  affliction  those  will  haste  to  help  him. 


352  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

For,  note  thou  this,  the  providence  of  God  hath  bound  up 
families  together, 

To  mutual  aid  and  patient  trial ; yea,  those  ties  are  strong. 

Friends  are  ever  dearer  in  thy  wealth,  but  relations  to  be 
trusted  in  thy  need, 

For  these  are  God’s  appointed  way,  and  those  the  choice 
of  man. 

There  is  lower  warmth  in  kin,  but  smaller  truth  in  friends, 

The  latter  show  more  surface,  and  the  first  have  more  of 
depth. 

Relations  rally  to  the  rescue,  even  in  estrangement  and  ne- 
glect, 

Where  friends  will  have  fled  at  thy  defeat,  even  after  promi- 
ses and  kindness. 

For  friends  come  and  go,  the  whim  that  bound  may  loose 
them, 

But  none  can  dissever  a relationship,  and  Fate  hath  tied  the 
knot. 


Wide,  and  edged  with  shadowy  bounds,  a distant  boulevard 
to  the  city 

The  common  crowd  of  social  life  is  buzzing  round  about : 
That  is  as  the  outer  court,  with  all  defences  levelled, 

Ranged  around  a man’s  own  fortress,  and  his  father’s  house. 
For  many  friends  go  in  and  out,  and  praise  thee  finding  pas- 
ture, 

And  some  are  honey-comb  to-day  who  turn  to  gall  to-mor- 
row : 

And  many  a garrulous  acquaintance  with  his  frequent  visit 
Will  spend  his  leisure  to  thy  cost  selling  dullness  dearly : 

For  the  idle  call  is  a heavy  tax,  where  time  is  counted  gold, 
And  even  in  the  day  of  relaxation,  haply  he  may  spare  his 
presence, — 

He  found  himself  alone,  and  came  to  talk, — till  they  that 
hear  are  tired : 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  SOCIETY. 


353 


Let  the  man  bethink  him  of  an  errand : that  his  face  be  not 
unwelcome. 

But  many  friends  there  be  both  well  and  wisely  greeted, 

Gladly  are  they  hailed  upon  the  hills,  and  are  chidden  that 
they  come  so  seldom. 

Of  such  are  the  early  recollections,  school  friendships  that 
have  thriven  to  grey  hairs, 

And  veteran  men  are  young  once  more,  and  talk  of  boyish 
pranks ; 

And  such,  yet  older  on  the  list,  are  those  who  loved  thy 
father, 

Thy  father’s  friend,  and  thine,  who  tendereth  thee  tried  love : 

Such  also,  many  gentle  hearts,  whom  thou  hast  known  too 
lately, 

Hastening  now  to  learn  their  worth,  and  chary  of  those 
minutes ; 

And  such  thy  faithful  pastor,  coming  to  thy  home  with 
peace ; — 

Greet  the  good  man  heartily,— and  bid  thy  children  bless 
him ! 


Many  thoughts,  many  thoughts, — who  can  catch  them  all  ? 

The  best  are  ever  swiftest  winged,  the  duller  lag  behind  : 

For  behold  in  these  vast  themes,  my  mind  is  as  a forest  of 
the  West, 

And  flocking  pigeons  come  in  clouds,  and  bend  the  groaning 
branches ; 

Here  for  a rest,  then  off  and  away, — they  have  sped  to  other 
climes, 

And  leave  me  to  my  peace  once  more,  a holiday  from  thoughts. 

I dare  not  lure  them  back,  for  the  mighty  subject  of  Society 

Would  tempt  to  many  a hackneyed  note  in  many  a weary 
key ; 

Sage  warnings,  stout  advice,  experiences  ever  to  be  learned. 

The  foolish  floatiness  of  vanity,  and  solemn  trumperies  of 
pride, — 


30* 


354  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

Economy,  the  poor  man’s  mint, — extravagance,  the  rich 
man’s  pitfall, 

Harmful  copings  with  the  better,  and  empty-headed  apings 

of  the  worse, 

Circumstance  and  custom,  sympathies,  antipathies,  diverse 
kinds  of  conversation, 

Vapid  pleasures,  the  weariness  of  gaiety,  the  strife  and  bustle 
of  the  world, 

Home  comforts,  the  miseries  of  style,  the  cobweb  lines  of 
etiquette, 

The  hollowness  of  courtesies  and  substance  of  deceits, — 
idleness,  business,  and  pastime, — 

The  multitude  of  matters  to  be  done,  the  when,  and  where, 
and  how, 

And  varying  shades  of  characters,  to  do,  undo,  or  miss  them, — 
All  these,  and  many  more  alike,  thick  converging  fancies, 

Flit  in  throngs  about  my  theme,  as  honey-bees  at  even  to 
their  hive. 

Find  an  end  or  make  one  : these  seeds  are  dragon’s  teeth : 
Sown  thoughts  grow  to  things,  and  fill  that  field,  the  world : 
Many  wise  have  gone  before,  and  used  the  sickle  well ; 

Who  can  find  a corner  now,  where  none  have  bound  the 

sheaves  1 

So,  other  some  may  reap  : I do  but  glean  and  gather  : 

My  sorry  handful  hath  been  culled  after  the  ripe  harvest  of 
Society. 


OF  SOLITUDE. 

Who  hath  known  his  brother,  or  found  him  in  his  freedom 
unrestrained ! 

Even  he  whose  hidden  glance  hath  watched  his  deepest  Soli- 
tude. 

For  we  walk  the  world  in  domino,  putting  on  characters  and 
habits, 


SERIES  II.] 


OF  SOLITUDE. 


355 


And  wear  a social  Janus  mask,  while  others  stand  around, 

I speak  not  of  the  hypocrite,  nor  dream  of  meant  deceptions 
But  of  that  quick  unconscious  change,  whereof  the  best 
know  most. 

For  mind  hath  its  influence  on  mind ; and  no  man  is  free  but 
when  alone ; 

Yea,  let  a dog  be  watching  thee,  its  eye  will  tend  to  thy 
restraint. 

Self-possession  cannot  be  so  perfect,  with  another  intellect 
beside  thee, 

It  is  not  as  a natural  result,  but  rather  the  educated  produce. 
The  presence  of  a second  spirit  must  control  thine  own, 

And  throw  it  ofTits  equipoise  of  peace,  to  balance  by  an  effort. 
The  common  minds  of  common  men  know  of  this  but  little, 
What  then  1 they  know  nothing  of  themselves  : I speak  to 
those  who  know. 

The  consciousness  that  some  are  hearing,  cometh  as  a care, 
The  sense  that  some  are  watching  near,  bindeth  thee  to 
caution ; 

And  the  tree  of  tender  nerves  shrinketh  as  a touched  mi- 
mosa, 

Drooping  like  a plant  in  drought,  with  half  its  strength  de- 
cayed. 

There  are  antipathies  warning  from  the  many,  and  sympa- 
thies drawing  to  the  some, 

But  merchant-minds  have  crushed  the  first,  and  cannot  feel 
the  latter : 

Whereas  to  the  quickened  apprehension  of  a keen  and  spi- 
ritual intellect, 

Antipathies  are  galling,  and  sympathies  oppress,  and  solitude 
is  quiet. 

He  that  dwelleth  mainly  by  himself,  heedeth  most  of  others, 
But  they  that  live  in  crowds,  think  chiefly  of  themselves, 
There  is  indeed  a selfish  seeming,  where  the  anchorite  liveth 
alone, 


356  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

But  probe  his  thoughts, — they  travel  far,  dreaming  for  ever 
of  the  world : 

And  there  is  an  apparent  generosity,  when  a man  mixeth 
freely  with  his  fellows, 

But  prove  his  mind  by  day  and  night,  his  thoughts  are  all  of 
self : 

The  world,  inciting  him  to  pleasures,  or  relentlessly  provok- 
ing him  to  toil, 

Is  full  of  anxious  rivals,  each  with  a difference  of  interest ; 

So  must  he  plan  and  practise  for  himself,  even  as  his  own 
best  friend ; 

And  the  gay  soul  of  dissipation  never  had  a thought  un- 
selfish. 

The  hermit  standeth  out  of  strife,  abiding  in  a contemplative 
calmness ; 

What  shall  he  contemplate, — himself  1 a meagre  theme  for 
musing : 

He  hath  cast  off  follies,  and  kept  aloof  from  cares  ; a man  of 
simple  wants ; 

God  and  his  soul,  these  are  his  excuse,  a just  excuse  for  soli- 
tude. 

But  he  carried  with  him  to  his  cell  the  half-dead  feelings  of 
humanity ; 

There  were  they  rested  and  refreshed ; and  he  yearned 
once  more  on  men. 


Where  is  the  wise,  or  the  learned,  or  the  good,  that  sought 
not  solitude  for  thinking, 

And  from  seclusion’s  secret  vale  brought  forth  his  precious 
fruits  ? — 

Forests  of  Aricia,  your  deep  shade  mellowed  Numa’s  wis- 
dom, 

Peaceful  gardens  of  Vaucluse,  ye  nourished  Petrarch’s  love  ; 

Solitude  made  a Cincinnatus,  ripening  the  hero  and  the  pa- 
triot, 


SERIES  II. J 


OF  SOLITUDE. 


357 


And  taught  De  Stael  self-knowledge,  even  in  the  damp  Bas- 
tile ; (27) 

It  fostered  the  piety  of  Jerome,  matured  the  labors  of  Augus- 
tine, 

And  gave  imperial  Charles  religion  for  ambition : 

That  which  Scipio  praised,  that  which  Alfred  practised, 
Which  fired  Demosthenes  to  eloquence,  and  fed  the  mind  of 
Milton, 

Which  quickened  zeal,  nurtured  genius,  found  out  the  secret 
things  of  science, 

Helped  repentance,  shamed  folly,  and  comforted  the  good 
with  peace, — 

By  all  men  just  and  wise,  by  all  things  pure  and  perfect, 

How  truly,  Solitude,  art  thou  the  fostering  nurse  of  great- 
ness ! 

Enough  ; the  theme  is  vast ; sear  me  these  necks  of  Hydra : 
What  shall  drive  away  the  thoughts  flocking  to  this  carcass ! 
Yea, — that  all  which  man  may  think,  hath  long  been  said  of 
Solitude ; 

For  many  wise  have  proved  and  preached  its  evils  and  its 
good. 

I cannot  add, — I will  not  steal ; enough,  for  all  is  spoken : 

Yet  heed  thou  these  for  practice  and  discernment  among 
men. 

There  are  pompous  talkers,  solemn,  oracular,  and  dull : 
Track  them  from  society  to  solitude  ; and  there  ye  find  them 
fools. 

There  are  light-hearted  jesters,  taking  up  with  company  for 
pastime ; 

How  speed  they  when  alone  1 — serious,  wise,  and  thoughtful. 
And  wherefore  'l  both  are  actors,  saving  when  in  solitude, 
There  they  live  their  truest  life,  and  ail  things  show  sincere : 
But  the  fool  by  pomposity  of  speech  striveth  to  be  counted 
wise, 


358  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

And  the  wise  for  holiday  and  pleasance,  playeth  with  the 
fool’s  best  bauble. 

The  solemn  seemer,  as  a itus,  will  be  found  more  ignorant 
and  shallow 

Than  those  who  laugh  both  oud  and  long,  content  to  hide 
their  knowledge. 

For  thee ; seek  thou  Solitude,  but  neither  in  excess,  nor  mo- 
rosely ; 

Seek  her  for  her  precious  things,  and  not  of  thine  own  pride. 

For  there,  separate  from  a crowd,  the  still  small  voice  will 
talk  with  thee, 

Truth’s  whisper,  heard  and  echoed  by  responding  conscience ; 

There,  shalt  thou  gather  up  the  ravelled  skeins  of  feeling, 

And  mend  the  nets  of  usefulness,  and  rest  awhile  for  duties ; 

There,  shalt  thou  hive  thy  lore,  and  eat  the  fruits  of  study, 

For  Solitude  delighteth  well  to  feed  on  many  thoughts ; 

There  as  thou  sittest  peaceful,  communing  with  fancy, 

The  precious  poetry  of  life  shall  gild  its  leaden  cares  ; 

There,  as  thou  walkest  by  the  sea,  beneath  the  gentle  stars, 

Many  kindling  seeds  of  good  will  sprout  within  thy  soul ; 

Thou  shalt  weep  in  Solitude, — thou  shalt  pray  in  Solitude, 

Thou  shalt  sing  for  joy  of  heart,  and  praise  the  grace  of  Soli- 
tude. 

Pass  on,  pass  on ! — for  this  is  the  path  of  Wisdom : 

God  make  thee  prosper  on  the  way : I leave  thee  well  with 
Solitude. 


THE  END. 

Every  beginning  is  shrouded  in  a mist,  those  vague  ideas 
beyond, 

And  the  traveller  setteth  on  his  journey,  oppressed  with 
many  thoughts, 


series  ii.J  THE  END.  359 

Balancing  his  hopes  and  fears,  and  looking  for  some  order  in 
the  chaos, 

Some  secret  path  between  the  cliffs,  that  seem  to  bar  his 
way : 

So  he  commenceth  at  a clue,  unravelling  its  tangled  skein, 

And  boldly  speedeth  on  to  thread  the  labyrinth  before  him. 

Then  as  he  gropeth  in  the  darkness,  light  is  attendant  on  his 
steps, 

He  walketh  straight  in  fervent  faith,  and  difficulties  vanish 
at  his  presence, 

The  very  flashing  of  his  sword  scattereth  those  shadowy 
foes ; 

Confident  and  sanguine  of  success,  he  goeth  forth  conqueriug 
and  to  conquer. 


Every  middle  is  burdened  with  a weariness, — to  have  to  go 
as  far  again, — 

And  Diligence  is  sick  at  heart,  and  Enterprise  foot-sore : 

That  which  began  in  zeal,  bursting  as  a fresh-dug  spring, 

Goeth  on  doggedly  in  toil,  and  hath  no  help  of  nature  : 

Then,  is  need  of  moral  might,  to  wrestle  with  the  animal  re- 
action, 

Still  to  fight,  with  few  men  left,  and  still  though  faint  pur- 
suing. 

The  middle  is  a marshy  flat,  whereon  the  wheels  go  heavily, 

With  clouds  of  doubt  above,  and  ruts  of  discouragement  be- 
low : 

Press  on,  sturdy  traveller,  yet  a league,  and  yet  a league  ! 

While  every  step  is  binding  wings  on  thy  victorious  feet. 

Every  end  is  happiness,  the  glorious  consummation  of  de- 
sign, 

The  perils  past,  the  fears  annulled,  the  journey  at  its  close: 

And  the  traveller  resteth  in  complacency,  home-returned  at 
last : 


360 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  m. 


Work  done  may  claim  its  wages,  the  goal  gained  hath  won 
its  prize. 

While  the  labor  lasted,  while  the  race  was  running, 

Many-times  the  sinews  ached,  and  half-refused  the  struggle  ; 

But  now,  all  is  quietness,  a pleasant  hour  given  to  repose  ; 

Calmness  in  the  retrospect  of  good,  and  calmness  in  the 
prospect  of  a blessing. 

Hope  was  glad  in  the  beginning,  and  fear  was  sad  midway, 

But  sweet  fruition  cometh  in  the  end,  a harvest  safe  and  sure. 

That  which  is,  can  never  not  have  been  : facts  are  solid  as 
the  pyramids : 

A thing  done  is  written  in  the  rock,  yea,  with  a pen  of  iron. 

Uncertainty  no  more  can  scare,  the  proof  is  seen  complete, 

Nor  accident  render  unaccomplished,  for  the  deed  is  finished. 

Thus  the  end  shall  crown  the  work,  with  grace,  unto  the 
topstone, 

And  the  work  shall  triumph  in  its  crown,  with  peace,  peace, 
unto  the  builder. 

I have  written,  as  other  some  of  old,  in  quaint  and  meaning 
phrase, 

Of  many  things  for  either  world,  a crowd  of  facts  and  fan- 
cies : 

And  will  ye  judge  me,  men  of  mind  7— judge  in  kindly  calm- 
ness ; 

For  bitter  words  of  haste  or  hate  have  often  been  repented. 

Deep  dreaming  upon  surface  reading : imagery  crowded  over 
argument ; 

Order  less  considered  in  the  multitude  of  thoughts  : this  wit- 
nessing is  just ; 

Scripture  gave  the  holier  themes,  the  well-turned  words,  and 
wisdom ; 

While  Fancy  on  her  swallow’s  wing  skimmed  those  deeper 
waters. 

And  wilt  thou  say  with  shrewdness, — He  hath  burnished  up 
old  truths, 


SERIES  II.] 


THE  END. 


361 


But  where  he  seemed  to  fashion  new,  the  novelty  was  false  ? 

Alas,  for  us  in  these  last  days,  our  elders  reaped  the  harvest ; 

Alas,  for  all  men  in  all  times,  who  glean  so  many  tares  ! 

That  which  is  true,  how  should  it  be  new  ; for  I am  young 
in  wisdom. 

Nevertheless,  I have  spoken  at  my  best,  according  to  the 
mercies  given  me, 

Of  high,  and  deep,  and  famous  things,  of  Evil,  or  of  Good.(2s) 

I have  told  of  Errors  near  akin  to  Truth,  and  wholesomes 
linked  with  poison ; 

Of  subtle  Uses  in  the  humblest,  and  the  deep-laid  plots  of 
Pride : 

I have  praised  Wisdom,  comforted  thy  Hope,  and  proved  to 
thee  the  folly  of  complainings ; 

Hinted  at  the  hazard  of  an  influence,  and  turned  thee  from 
the  terrors  of  Ambition. 

I have  shown  thee  thy  captivity  to  Law  ; yet  bade  thee  hide 
Humilities ; 

I have  lifted  the  curtains  of  Memory ; and  smoothed  the  soft 
pillow  of  Rest. 

Experience  had  his  sober  hour ; and  Character  its  keen  ap- 
preciation ; 

And  holy  Anger  stood  sublime,  where  Hatred  fell  condemned. 

Prayer  spake  the  mind  of  God,  even  in  his  own  good  words  ; 

And  Zeal,  with  kindness  warmly  mixt,  allied  him  to  Discre- 
tion. 

I taught  thee  that  nothing  is  a Trifle,  even  to  the  laugh  of 

Recreation : 

I led  thee  with  the  Train  of  Religion,  to  be  dazzled  at  the 
name  of  the  Triune. 

Thought  confessed  his  unseen  fears ; and  Speech  declared 
his  triumphs : 

I sang  the  blessedness  of  books ; and  commended  the  pru- 
dence of  a letter ; 

Riches  found  their  room,  either  unto  honor — or  despising ; 

31 


362  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

Inventions  took  their  lower  place,  for  all  things  come  of  God. 

I scorned  Ridicule ; nor  would  humble  me  for  Praise ; for  I 
had  gained  Self-knowledge : 

And  pleaded  fervently  for  Brutes,  who  suffer  for  man’s  sin. 

Then,  I rose  to  Friendship ; and  bathed  in  all  the  tenderness 
of  Love ; 

Knew  the  purity  of  Marriage : and  blessed  the  face  of  Chil- 
dren. 

And  whereas  by  petulance  or  pride,  I had  haply  said  some 
evil, 

Mine  after-thought  was  Tolerance,  to  bear  the  faults  of  all : 

Many  faults,  ill  to  hear,  bred  the  theme  of  Sorrow  ; 

Many  virtues,  dear  to  see,  induced  the  gush  of  Joy. 

Thus,  for  a while,  as  leaving  thee  in  joy,  was  I loath  to  break 
that  spell ; 

I roamed  to  other  things  and  thoughts,  and  fashioned  other 
books. 

But  in  a season  of  reflection,  after  many  days, 

A thought  stood  before  me  in  its  garment  of  the  past, — and 
lo,  a legion  with  it! 

They  came  in  thronging  bands, — I could  not  fight  nor  fly 
them, — 

And  so  they  took  me  to  their  tent,  the  prisoner  of  thoughts. 

Then,  I bade  thee  greet  me  well,  and  heed  my  cheerful 
counsels ; 

For  every  day  we  have  a Friend,  who  changeth  not  with 
time. 

Gladly  did  I speak  of  my  commission,  for  I felt  it  graven  on 
my  heart, 

And  could  not  hold  my  wiser  peace,  but  magnified  mine 
office. 

Mystery  had  left  her  echoes  in  my  mind,  and  I discoursed 
her  secret : 


• 

series  ii.)  THE  END.  363 

And  thence  I turned  aside  to  Man,  and  judged  him  for  his 
Gifts. 

Beauty,  noble  thesis,  had  a world  of  sweets  to  sing  of, 

And  dated  all  her  praise  from  God,  the  birthday  of  the  soul. 
Thence  grew  Fame  ; and  Flattery  came  like  Agag; 

But  this  was  as  the  nauseous  dregs  of  that  inspiring  cup ; 
Forth  from  Flattery  sprang  in  opposition  harsh  and  dull 
Neglect ; 

And  kind  Contentment’s  gentle  face  to  smile  away  the  sad- 
ness. 

Life,  all  buoyancy  and  light,  and  Death,  that  sullen  silence, 
Sped  the  soul  to  Immortality,  the  final  home  of  man. 

Then,  in  metaphysical  review,  passed  a triple  troop, 

Swift  Ideas,  sounding  Names,  and  heavily  armed  Things; 
Faith  spake  of  her  achievements  even  among  men  her 
brethren ; 

And  Honesty,  with  open  mouth,  would  vindicate  himself; 
The  retrospect  of  social  life  had  many  truths  to  tell  of, 

And  then  I left  thee  to  thy  Solitude,  learning  there  of  Wis- 
dom. 

Friend  and  scholar,  lover  of  the  right,  mine  equal  kind  com; 
panion, — 

I prize  indeed  thy  favor,  and  these  sympathies  are  dear : 

Still,  if  thy  heart  be  little  with  me,  wot  thou  well,  my 
brother, 

I canvass  not  the  smile  of  praise,  nor  dread  the  frowns  of 
censure. 

Through  many  themes  in  many  thoughts,  have  we  held 
sweet  converse ; 

But  God  alone  be  praised  for  mind ! He  only  is  sufficient. 
And  every  thought  in  every  theme  by  prayer  had  been  estab- 
lished ; 

Who  then  should  fear  the  face  of  man,  when  God  hath 
answered  prayer? 

I speak  it  not  in  arrogance  of  heart,  but  humbly,  as  of  justice, 


A 


364  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  n. 

I think  it  not  in  vanity  of  soul,  hut  tenderly,  for  gratitude, — 

God  hath  blessed  my  mind,  and  taught  it  many  truths ; 

And  I have  echoed  some  to  thee,  in  weakness,  yet  sincerely : 

Yea,  though  ignorance  and  error  shall  have  marred  those 
lessons  of  His  teaching. 

I stand  in  mine  own  Master’s  praise,  or  fall  to  His  reproof. 

If  thou  lovest,  help  me  with  thy  blessing ; if  otherwise, 
mine  shall  be  for  thee  ; 

If  thou  approvest,  heed  my  words ; if  otherwise,  in  kind- 
ness be  my  teacher. 

Many  mingled  thoughts  for  self  have  warped  my  better  aim, 

Many  motives  tempted  still,  to  toil  for  pride  or  praise  ; 

Alas,  I have  loved  pride  and  praise,  like  others  worse  or 
worthier ; 

But  hate  and  fear  them  now,  as  snakes  that  fastened  on  my 
hand  : 

Scsevola  burnt  both  hand  and  crime : but  Paul  flung  the 
viper  on  the  fire : 

He  shook  it  ofF,  and  felt  no  harm : so  be  it ! — I renounce 
them. 

Rebuke  then,  if  thou  wilt  rebuke, — but  neither  hastily  nor 
harshly; 

Or,  if  thou  wilt  commend,  be  it  honestly,  of  right ; I work 
for  God  and  Good. 


NOTES. 


FIRST  SERIES. 

(!)  “ And  thine  enfranchised  fellows  hail  thy  white  victorious 
sails .”  Page  11. 

See  the  story  of  Theseus,  as  detailed  in  Dryden’s  transla- 
tion of  Plutarch,  Life  I. 

(2)  “ Who  hath  companied  a vision  from  the  horn  or  ivory 
gate  ?”  Page  14. 

Virg.,  vEn.  VI.,  894-897. 

“ Sunt  geminae  somni  portae  ; quarum  altera  fertur 
Cornea ; qua  veris  facilis  datur  exitus  umbris  ; 

Altera  candenti  perfecta  nitens  elephanto ; 

Sed  falsa  ad  caelum  mittunt  insomnia  Manes.” 

(3)  “ The  seawort  floating  on  the  waves”  «§*c.  Page  17. 

The  common  sea-weeds  on  the  shores  of  Europe,  the  algae 
and  fuci,  after  having,  for  ages,  been  considered  as  synony- 
mous with  everything  vile  and  worthless,  have,  in  modern 
times,  been  found  to  be  abundant  in  iodine,  the  only  known 
cure  for  scrofula,  and  kelp,  so  useful  for  many  manufactures. 
Horace  has  signalized  his  ignorance  of  this  fact  in  Od.  III. 
31* 


366  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  I. 

17,  10,  “alg&  inutili,”  &c. ; and,  in  H.  Sat.  5,  8,  ironically 

saying,  that  “ virtus,  nisi  cum  re,  vilior  algA.  est.” 

Virgil  also  has  put  into  the  mouth  of  Thyrsis,  in  Eel.  VII., 
42. 

“ — — Projects,  vilior  algS.” 

(4)  “ Hath  the  crocus  yielded  up  its  bulb  ?”  <$*c.  Page  18. 

The  autumnal  crocus,  or  coichicum,  which  consists  of 
little  more  than  a deep  bulbous  root,  and  a delicate  lilac 
flower  (see  page  152),  produces  a substance  which  is  called 
veratrin,  and  has  been  used  with  signal  success  in  the  cure 
of  gout  and  similar  diseases.  A few  lines  lower  down,  with 
reference  to  the  elm,  I would  remark,  that  no  use  has  yet 
been  discovered  in  the  principle  called  “ uimine.” 

“The  boon  of  far  Peru”  is  the  potatoe. 

(5)  “ When  acorns  give  out  fragrant  drink ,”  8rc.  Page  18. 

At  a meeting  of  the  Medico-Botanical  Society  (in  1837), 
the  President  introduced  to  the  notice  of  the  members  a new 
beverage  which  very  much  resembled  coffee,  and  was  made 
from  acorns  peeled,  chopped,  and  roasted.  Bread  made  from 
sawdust,  is  certainly  not  very  palatable,  but  no  one  can 
doubt  that  it  is  far  more  sweet  and  wholesome  than  “ no 
bread in  a famine,  this  discovery,  which  has  passed  almost 
sub  silentio,  would  prove  to  be  of  the  highest  importance. 
The  darnel,  it  may  be  observed  in  passing,  is  highly  poison- 
ous, and  a proper  opposite  to  the  lotus. 

(«)  “ He , who  seeming  old  in  youth”  <$*c.  Page  26. 

Compare  Isa.  lii.,  14,  “ His  visage  was  so  marred  more  than 
any  man,  and  his  form  more  than  the  sons  of  men,”  with 
the  idea  implied  in  the  observation,  John  viii,  57,  “ Thou  art 
not  yet  fifty  years  old,  and  hast  thou  seen  Abraham  1”  Our 
Lord  was  then  thirty-three,  or,  according  to  some  chronolo- 
gists,  even  younger. 


series  i.]  NOTES.  367 

(7)  “ A sentence  hath  formed  a character , and  a character 
subdued  a kingdom .”  Page  31. 

A better  instance  of  this  could  scarcely  be  found  than  in 
the  late  Lord  Exmouth,  who  first  directed  his  thoughts  to 
the  sea  from  a casual  remark  made  by  a groom.  See  his 
Life. 

(8)  “ That  small  caoern ,”  &rc.  Page  33. 

The  pineal  gland,  a small  oval  about  the  size  of  a pea, 
x situated  nearly  in  the  centre  of  the-  brain,  and  generally 
found  to  contain,  even  in  children,  some  particles  of  gravel. 
Galen,  and  after  him,  Des  Cartes,  imagined  it  the  seat  of  the 
soul. 

(0)  u jib,,  QreRit  hath,  surnamed , order.”  Page  41. 

K offfios  : The  Latins  also,  who  rarely  can  show  a beauti-  . 
ful  idea  which  they  have  not  borrowed  from  Greece,  have 
made  a similar  application  of  the  term  “ mundus  ” to  the 
fabric  of  the  world. 

(10)  « To  this  our  day , the  Rechabite  wanteth  not  a man,”  $rc. 

Page  50. 

I have  heard  it  related  of  Wolfe,  the  missionary,  that  when 
in  Arabia,  he  fell  in  with  a small  wandering  tribe  who  re- 
fused to  drink  wine,  not  on  Mohammedan  principles,  but 
because  it  had  in  old  time  been  “ forbidden  by  Jonadab,  the 
son  ofRechab,  their  father.”  Compare  Jeremiah  xxxv.,  19, 

“ Jonadab,  the  son  of  Rechab,  shall  not  want  a man  to  stand 
before  me  for  ever.”  It  will  be  found  in  Mr.  Wolfe’s 
Journal. 

(11)  “ Of  Rest.”  Page  50. 

A very  obvious  objection  to  the  views  of  Rest  here  given 
has  probably  occurred  to  more  than  one  religious  reader  of 


368  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

the  English  Bible  ‘.  “ there  remaineth  a rest  for  the  people  of 
God  doubtless  intending  the  heavenly  inheritance.  If  the 
Greek  Testament  is  referred  to  (Heb  iv.,  9)  the  word  translat- 
ed “rest”  will  be  found  to  be  Gaft (3 anon ^5  a sabbatism, 
or  perpetual  sabbath,  a rest  indeed  from  evil,  but  very  far 
from  being  a rest  from  good  : an  eternal  act  of  ecstatic  intel- 
lectual worship,  or  temporary  acts  in  infinite  series.  It  is 
true  that  another  word,  Kararravotg , implying  complete  ces- 
sation, occurs  in,  the  context ; but  this  is  used  of  the  earthly 
image,  Joshua’s  rest  in  Canaan ; the  material  rest  of  earth 
becomes  in  the  skies  a spiritual  sabbath ; although  I am 
ready  to  admit  that  the  apostle  goes  on  to  argue  from  the 
word  of  the  type.  In  passing,  let  us  observe,  by  way  of 
showing  the  uncertainty  of  trusting  to  any  isolated  expres- 
sion of  the  present  scriptural  version,  that  there  are  no  less 
than  six  several  words  of  various  meaning  which  in  our 
New  Testament  are  all  indifferently  rendered  rest;  as  in 
Matt,  xii.,  43,  dvanavoig  : in  John  xi.,  13,  koi/ urjoig  : in  Heb. 
iii.,  11,  Kardiravoig  : in  Acts  ix.,  31,  eiprtvrj  : in  2 Thess.  i.,  7, 
aveoig  : and  in  Heb.  iv.,  9,  oaftftanonog.  The  /cof/xijo-ijis,  I 
apprehend,  what  is  generally  meant  by  rest;  so  wishes 
Byron’s  Giaour  to  “ sleep  without  the  dream  of  what  he 
was;”  so  he  who  in  life  “loathed  the  languor  of  repose,” 
avows  that  he  “ would  not,  if  he  might,  be  blest,  and  sought 
no  paradise  but  Rest.”  Such,  at  least,  is  not  the  Christian’s 
sabbath,  which  indeed  fully  agrees,  as  might  be  expected, 
with  metaphysical  inquiries : a good  spirit  cannot  rest  from 
activity  in  good,  nor  an  evil  one  from  activity  in  evil.  Rest, 
in  its  common  slothful  acceptation,  is  not  possible,  or  is  at 
any  rate  very  improbable,  in  the  case  of  spiritual  creatures. 

(12)  “ Calm  night  that  breedeth  thoughts .”  Page  50. 

E^0p<5i/J7.  Another  delicate  example  of  the  Greek  elegance 
in  mind  and  language 


series  i.J  NOTES.  369 

(13)  “ Proteus ,”  be.  Page  59. 

Compare  Virgil,  Geor.  IV.,  406,  412. 

“ Turn  variaB  eludent  species  atque  ora  ferarum. 

Fiet  enim  subito  sus  horridus,  atraque  tigris, 

Squ  unosusque  draco,  et  fulva  cervice  leama; 

A ut  acrem  flamms  sonitum  dabit,  atque  ita  vinclis 
Excidet ; ant  in  aquas  tenues  dilapsus  abibit. 

Sed,  quanto  ille  magis  formas  se  vertet  in  onmes, 

Tanto,  nate,  magis  contende  tenacia  vincla.” 

( 14)  “ We  wait , like  the  sage  of  Salamis,  to  see  what  the  end 

will  be.”  Page  63. 

In  allusion  to  the  well-known  anecdote  of  Solon  at  the 
court  of  Crcesus. 

(15)  “ Crowned  with  a rainbow  of  emerald , the  green  memorial 

of  earth.”  Page  84. 

See  Rev.  iv.,  3,  “ There  was  a rainbow  round  about  the 
throne,  in  sight  like  unto  an  emerald  it  may  be  a fanciful, 
but  it  is  a*pleasing  idea,  that  this  emerald  rainbow  was,  as  it 
were,  a reflection  of  the  earth,  which  “ God  so  loved,”  and 
whose  universal  robe  is  green. 

(16)  “ Like  the  Parthian.”  Page  94. 

Compare  Horace,  Od.  I.,  19,  12,  “ Versis  animosum  equis 
Parthum,”  and  Virg.,  Geo.  III.,  31,  “Parthus  fidens  fug&,  ver- 
sisque  sagittis,”  with  Psalm  lxxviii.,  9,  “ The  children  of 
Ephraim  carrying  bows,  who  turned  themselves  back  in  the 
day  of  battle.” 

(17)  “ The  giant  king  of  palms.”  Page  95. 

The  magnificent  Talipat  palm,  the  column  of  which  fre- 
quently exceeds  one  hundred  feet  in  height,  whose  leaves 
are  each  thirty  feet  in  breadth,  and  whose  single  crop  of 
fruit  feasts  a whole  country. 


370  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

(13)  “ Jt  is  only  thi , 0/  the  redeemed  who  can  tell  thee  the 

f ullness  of  that  name?'  Page  100. 

Strictly  speaking,  only  a fallen  being  is  capable  of  re-Ugion , 
a bringing  or  binding  back  of  the  affections  to  their  proper 
object.  An  angel,  or  other  pure  intelligence,  can  have  no 
sympathies  with  the  fallen,  as  such,  and  therefore  can  know 
nothing  of  re-ligion,  as  such,  his  worship  is  allegiance  or 
ligeance. 

(19)  “ Of  a Trinity .”  Page  100. 

The  candid  reader  who  dissents  from  the  doctrine  of  the 
Trinity,  will  have  the  goodness  to  remember,  that  the  ques- 
tion itself  stands  on  far  other  and  higher  grounds  than  those 
of  mere  analogy  ; this  observation  is  made  in  case  the  slight 
argument  here  urged  should  seem  weak  and  unsatisfactory 
to  a reflective  mind  : it  is  nothing  more  than  an  addition  pro 
lucro.  It  does  not  at  all  affect  the  argument  that  the  three 
elements  of  all  things  should  be  now  unknown  or  unsus- 
pected. The  idea  thrown  out  may  one  day  be  fgund  to  be 
correct ; and  in  fact  it  will  be  very  difficult  to  prove  the 
contrary,  inasmuch  as  to  an  assertion  of  its  falsity,  “ ready 
answer  cometh,” — wait  until  we  know  more. 


(20)  “ The  noonday  light  is  a compound , the  triune  shadow  of 
Jehovah ,”  Page  103. 

The  rainbow,  which  is  light  analysed,  is  but  three  colors, 
blue,  yellow,  and  red,  with  their  intermediate  shades.  I 
think  no  one  of  these  can  be  mixed  or  made  of  others,  and 
in  their  union  they  produce  colorless  light. 

(21)  “ Upon  whose  lips  the  mystic  bee,"  &rc.  Page  315. 

The  classical  reader  will  not  need  to  be  reminded  of  the 
omen  that  happened  to  the  infant  Pindar. 


series  i.J  NOTES.  371 

(22)  “ Let  another  Omar  burn  the  full  library  of  knowledge” 

Page  118. 

The  Alexandrian  library,  compiled  by  Ptolemy  Euergetes, 
contained  700,000  manuscripts,  all  of  which  were  burnt  by 
the  fanatical  calif  Omar. 

(23)  “ y 'he  strange  skin  garments  cast  upon  the  shore  suggest 

another  hemisphere.”  Page  129. 

An  anecdote  I have  somewhere  heard  of  Columbus,  who, 
having  sailed  as  far  as  Flores,  one  of  the  western  islands, 
was  induced  to  proceed  further  from  hearing  that  savage 
robes  and  weapons  had  been  cast  up  by  the  sea,  after  the 
prevalence  of  westerly  gales.  It  will  probably  be  met  with 
in  Washington  Irving’s  Life  of  Columbus. 

(24)  “ The  lichen  . . . dying  diggeth  its  own  grave.” 

■ Page  129. 

One  of  the  great  uses  of  these  pioneers  of  vegetation  is  to 
corrode  and  fret  the  smooth  surface  of  the  rocks,  by  an  acid 
which  they  generate  during  decomposition. 

(r>)  “ Ridicule — the  test  of  truth.”  Page  132. 

One  of  the  weakest  points  in  the  Shaftesbury  philosophy, 
which  would  weigh  principles  against  puns. 

(26)  “ Jlnd  being  but  men , as  men , ye  own  to  all  the  sympathies 
of  manhood.”  Page  150. 

The  noble  and  masculine  sentiment  of  Terence,  which  of 
old  electr  tied  the  whole  theatre  : 

“Homo  sum,  humani  nihil  a me  alienum  puto.” 

(27)  “ Qanesa.”  Page  177. 

The  Elephant-headed  god  of  prudence,  who  is  invoked  on 


j 

372  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  i. 

every  occasion  by  the  Hindoos.  Kali,  called  also  Durga,  is  a 
destroying  power.  Kamala  signifies  “ lotus-like,”  a type  of 
beauty,  and  one  of  the  names  of  Lakshmi.  Vishnu  is  the 
great  Preserver  in  the  Brahmin  triad : his  incarnations  are 
called  avatars. 

(28)  “ Q0d  WM  noi  iove  thee  less , because  men  love  thee  more .” 
Page  17G. 

It  may  be  scarcely  necessary  to  remark,  that  the  gist  of  the 
argument  in  Matt,  v.,  II,  “ Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall 
revile  you,  and  persecute  you,  and  shall  say  all  manner  of 
evil  against  you,”  lies  in  the  “ falsely  for  my  sake.”  This 
verse  has  all  the  characteristics  of  an  epigram, — paradox, 
brevity,  and  final  satisfaction. 


! ■ 


J 


NOTES. 


SECOND  SERIES. 

(1}  “ Hunt  with  Aurengic.be ,”  frc.  Page  187. 

The  great  Mogul ; who  reigned  in  the  seventeenth  cen- 
tury; andjyas  famous,  amongst  other  things,  for  having  all 
but  exterminated  wild  beasts  from  the  region  of  Hindoostan  ; 
he  effected  this  by  surrounding  the  whole  country  with  his 
army,  and  then  drawing  to  a focus  with  the  animals  in  the 
centre.  Somerville,  in  the  end  of  Book  ii.  of  the  Chase, 
gives  a spirited  account  of  that  mighty  hunting: 

“Now  the  loud  trumpet  sounds  a charge.  The  shouts 
Of  eager  hosts,  through  all  the  circling  line, 

And  the  wild  howlings  of  the  beasts  within 
Rend  wide  the  welkin;  flights  of  arrows,  winged 
With  death,  and  javelins  launched  from  every  arm, 

Gall  sore  the  brutal  bands,  with  many  a wound 
Gored  through  and  through.” 

(2)  Page  188. 

Heraclitus  and  Democritus  are  severally  known  as  the 
crying  and  laughing  philosophers:  they  typify  opposite  seek- 
ers after  wisdom  ; both  being  prejudiced  by  excess.  Our  age 
of  the  world  seems  to  have  fallen  upon  the  latter,  which, 
32 


374  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  II. 

with  a protest  against  abuse,  is  certainly  the  wiser  of  the 
two.  “ The  house  of  mourning  is  better  than  the  house  of 
feasting,”  for  this  influence,  along  with  others  of  more 
weight;  viz.  that  it  tends  to  a cheerful  and  calm  reaction, 
rather  than  to  feelings  of  dullness  and  satiety.  A few  lines 
further,  “ the  luxury  of  Capuan  holidays,”  alludes  to  Han- 
nibal’s fatal  rest  after  the  battle  of  Cannaa. 

(3)  Revelation  xxi.,  8.  Page  189. 

“ But  the  fearful,  and  the  unbelieving,  ar.d  the  abominable, 
and  murderers,  and  whoremongers,  and  sorcerers,  and  idol- 
aters, and  all  liars,  shall  have  their  part  in  the  lake  that 
burneth  with  fire.” 

(4)  “ Deucalion  flinging  back  the  pebble  in  his  flight ,”  <$*c. 

Page  197. 

Descendunt ; velantque  caput,  tunicasque  recingunt ; 

Ei  jussos  lapides  sum.  post  venigia  mittunt. 

S »xa  (quis  hoc  cred  it,  nisi  sit  pro  teste  vetust'fs  ?) 

Ponere  duritiem  ccepere,  suumque  rigorem:  &c.  &. c. 

Inque  brevi  spatio,  superorum  munere,  saxa 

Missa  viri  manibus  faciem  traxdre  virilem. 

Ovid.  Met.,  lib.  i.  s 

(5)  “ Copan  and  Palenque ,”  <$*c.  Page  206. 

The  remains  of  these  ancient  cities,  buried  in  the  forests 
of  central  America,  have  been  recently  made  known  to  our 
wonder  in  the  entertaining  Travels  of  Mr.  J.  L.  Stephens. 
A brief  and  apt  quotation,  to  illustrate  the  line,  occurs  in 
vol.  i.,  p.  103.  “ * * Some  fragments  with  most  elegant 
designs,  and  some  in  workmanship  equ  il  to  the  finest  monu- 
ments of  the  Egyptians : one  displaced  from  its  pedestal  by 
enormous  roots : another  locked  in  the  close  embrace  of 
branches  of  trees,  and  almost  lifted  out  of  the  earth;  an- 
other, hurled  to  the  ground,  and  bound  down  by  huge  vines 


series  II.J  NOTES.  375 

and  creepers  ; and  one  standing,  with  its  altar  before  it,  in  a 
grove  of  trees  which  grew  around,  seemingly  to  shade  and 
shroud  it,  as  a sacred  thing;  in  the  solemn  stillness  of  the 
woods,  it  seemed  a divinity  mourning  over  a fallen  people.” 

(6)  Page  235. 

Corinna,  a Theban  lady,  was  once  adjudged  to  have  over- 
come in  verse  her  countryman,  the  deep-mouthed  Pindar; 
but  she  is  credibly  believed  to  have  owed  her  success  in 
great  measure  to  her  beauty.  Phryne  (not  the  too  celebrated 
courtezan  of  Athens,  but  a Phryne  of  fairer  fame)  is  men- 
tioned as  having  been  accused,  like  Socrates,  of  impiety 
against  heathenism,  and  like  him  also  condemned  to  die: 
however,  the  fairer  witness  of  truth  was  fortunate  enough  to 
escape  martyrdom  by  unveiling  her  bosom  to  the  judges,  and 
thereby  influencing  their  sentence.  Quintilian,  Orat.  lib.  ii.,  c. 
15,  has  this  passage  to  our  purpose.  “ Et  Phrynen  * * * con- 
spectu  corporis,  quod  ilia,  speciosissimum  alioqui,  diducta  nu- 
daverat  tumca,  putant  periculo  liberatam.”  And  Athenajus, 
xiii.  590,  tells  us  that  it  was  by  the  address  and  counsel  of 
Hyperides  her  advocate,  that  rpoayayiov  avrr,  v els  roLptyavis, 
teal  irspip  pr\^as  rovg  xircoviaxovs,  yvpva  re  ru  arepva 
TTOir';aas,  he  influenced  the  judges  of  the  Areopagus  to  acquit 
her.  “ Ionian  Myrrha”  is  a character  finely  drawn  by  Byron 
in  his  tragedy  of  Sardanapalus. 

(7)  “ Some  Nireus  of  the  camp,”  &c.  Page  239. 

Homer  disposes  very  summarily  of  a personage  who  has 
nothing  to  recommend  him  but  his  beauty.  Nireus  is  men- 
tioned only  in  one  passage  of  the  Iliad : lib.  ii.,  073.  N ptvg, 
os  KaWicros  avrjp , &c. ; and  it  is  significantly  Added, 
’AXX’aXan-aJj/os  eqv  : an  epithet  of  double  intention,  power- 
less in  troops,  and  imbecile  in  mind. 


37G  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

(8)  1 Esdras  iv  , 13,  et  scq.  Page  240. 

Zorobabel  holds  argument  before  Darius,  that  “ Woman  is 
more  powerful  than  wine  or  the  king,  but  that  Truth  beareth 
off  the  victory  from  woman.”  He  sets  up  beauty  above  all 
earthly  things,  v.,  32,  “ O ye  men,  how  can  it  be  but  women 
should  be  strong,  seeing  they  do  thus  ?”  and  it  is  small  dis- 
paragement, that  Truth  should  overcome  her;  for  “Great  is 
truth,  and  mighty  above  all  things.”  v.,  41. 

(9)  Ezekiel  xxviii.,  12.  Page  243. 

“ Thou  sealest  up  the  sum,”  (otherwise  to  be  rendered, 
“ Thou  art  the  standard  of  measures,”)  “ full  of  wisdom, 
and  perfect  in  beauty.”  It  is  quite  fair,  and  according  to 
scriptural  usage  (compare  Hosea  xi.,  with  Matt,  ii.,  15),  to 
take  such  a passage  as  this  out  of  its  context,  as  primarily 
referable  to  a king  of  Tyrus,  but  in  a higher  sense  applicable 
to  the  King  of  Heaven. 

(io)  Page  244. 

Eratostratus  tired  the  temple  of  Diana  at  Ephesus,  solely 
to  make  himself  a name : the  incendiary  certainly  succeeded, 
for  he  has  come  down  to  our  times,  famous  (if  in  no  other 
way)  at  least  for  his  criminal  and  foolish  love  of  notoriety. 
Pythagoras  induced  the  vulgar  to  believe  in  his  supernatural 
qualifications,  by  immuring  himself  in  a cavernous  pit  for 
months,  whence,  returning  with  a ghastly  aspect,  he  gave 
out  that  he  had  been  a visitor  in  Hades.  As  foi  Empedocles, 
few  cannot  have  heard,  that  he  leaped  into  Etna  to  make  the 
world  imagine  that  he  had  vanished  from  its  surface  as  a 
god : unluckily,  however,  the  volcano  disgorged  one  of  the 
philosopher’s  sandals,  and  proved  at  once  the  manner  of  his 
death,  and  the  quality  of  his  mind ; ex  pede  Herculem. 

(n)  “ Ccesar's  wife.”  Page  246. 

Pompeia,  third  wife  of  Julius  Casar,  and  divorced  from 


SERIES  II. J 


NOTES. 


377 


him,  according  to  Plutarch  (see  Langhorne’s  fourth  edition, 
iv.,  368),  solely  because  “he  would  have  the  chastity  of 
Caesar’s  wife  free  even  from  suspicion  ” 

(12)  Page  247. 

The  noble  ode  of  Horace,  lib.  iii.,  30,  is  a prophecy  which 
now  can  never  fail.  Ovid,  also,  in  the  Epilogue  to  his  Meta- 
morphoses, has  a similar  burst  of  assurance  in  fame. 

Jamque  opus  exegi ; quod  nec  Jovis  ira,  nec  ignes, 

Nec  poterit  ferrum,  nec  eda.x  abolere  vetustas ; 

Cum  volet  ilia  dies,  qua?  nil  nisi  corporis  hujus 
Jus  habet,  incerti  spatium  mihi  finiat  sevi : 

Parte  tamen  meliore  mei  super  alta  perennis 
Astra  ferar  : nomenque  erit  indelebile  nostrum. 

Q,u&que  patet  domitis  Romana  potentia  terris, 

Ore  legar  populi ; perque  omnia  saecula  fami 
Si  quid  habent  veri  vatum  preesagia  vivam. 


(13)  Page  248. 

Momus,  a typification  of  the  force  of  ridicule,  was  once 
counted  among  the  hierarchs  of  heathen  mythology : but,  as 
he  made  game  of  every  one,  he  never  found  a friend ; and 
when  at  length,  in  a gush  of  hypercriticism,  he  presumed  to 
censure  the  peerless  Mother  of  Beauty  for  awkwardness  in 
walking,  the  enraged  celestials  flung  him  from  their  sphere, 
and  sent  the  fallen  spirit  down  to  men. 


(i4/  1 Kings  vii.,  21.  Page  271. 

“ He  set  the  pillars  in  the  porch  of  the  temple ; and  he  set 
up  the  right  pillar,  and  called  the  name  theref  Jachin  [He 
shall  establish] : and  he  set  up  the  left  pillar ; and  called  the 
name  thereof  Boaz  [in  it  is  strength] : and  upon  the  top  of 
the  pillars  was  lily-work.” 

32* 


378  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 

(15)  Page  272. 

An  application  of  the  story  of  Curtius  (as  given  by  Livy, 
lib.  vii.,  6),  who  leaped  into  a gjulf,  in  the  forum,  because  the 
Aruspices  had  declared  that  it  should  never  close  until  the 
most  precious  thing  in  Rome,  “ the  strength  of  the  city,”  had 
been  flung  into  it.  We  are  told  that  “equo,  quam  poterat 
maxima  ornato,  insidentem,  armatum  se  in  specum  immi- 
sisse.” 

(16)  Page  274. 

To  drink  with  the  throat  of  Crassus,  may  well  be  thought 
to  have  passed  into  a proverb  for  inordinate  lust  of  wealth : 
for  Orodes  the  Parthian,  having  overthrown  him  in  battle, 
cut  off*  his  head,  and  then,  to  satirize  the  insatiable  nature 
of  his  avarice,  poured  melted  gold  down  his  throat.  The 
evil  dreams  of  Midas  are  as  famous  as  his  other  well-earned 
punishments  ; and  we  are  told  that  he  died,  in  consequence 
of  taking  too  violent  a remedy  for  delivering  himself  from 
those  nightly  torments. 

(17)  Page  287. 

Mr.  Willis,  in  “Pencillings  by  the  Way,”  vol.  i.,  p.  115, 
gives  a graphic  account  of  the  public  burial-ground  of 
Naples.  * * * “ There  are  three  hundred  and  sixty-five 
pits  in  this  place,  one  of  which  is  opened  every  day  for  the 
dead  of  the  city.  They  are  thrown  in  without  shroud  or 
coffin,  and  the  pit  is  sealed  up  at  night  for  a year.”  * * * 
“ And  thus  are  flung  into  this  noisome  pit,  like  beafets,  the 
greater  part  of  the  population  of  this  vast  city, — the  young 
and  old,  the  vicious  and  the  virtuous  together,  without  the 
decency  even  of  a rag,  to  keep  up  the  distinctions  of  life ! 
Can  human  beings  thus  be  thrown  away  ? men  like  ourselves, 
women,  children,  like  our  sisters  and  brothers  1 I never  was 
so  humiliated  in  my  life  as  by  this  horrid  spectacle.  I did 
not  think  a man — a felon  even,  or  a leper, — what  you  will, 


series  II. J NOTES.  379 

that  is  guilty  or  debased, — I did  not  think  anything  that  had 
been  human  could  be  so  recklessly  abandoned.  Pah!  It 
makes  one  sick  at  heart!  God  grant  I may  never  die  at 
Naples  !” 

Truly,  this  would  seem  to  spoil  the  proverb,  Verdi  Napoli, 
poi  mori. 

(18)  Page  288. 

Sophocles  lived  to  be  nearly  a hundred  years  old,  and  to 
typify  the  perpetual  fame  of  their  “ sweet  Attic  bee the 
Athenians  used  to  decorate  his  tomb  with  festoons  of  flower- 
ing ivy. 

The  “ dernier  chant  de  Corinne”  of  Mad.  de  Stael  (p.  303) 
has  this  passage : “ O vous  qui  me  survivrez  ! quand  le  prin- 
temps  reviendra,  souvenez  vous  combien  j’aimais  sa  beaut6  ; 
que  de  fois  j’ai  vant6  son  air  et  ses  parfums  ? Rappellez- 
vous  quelquefois  mes  vers,  mon  ame  y est  empreinte,”  &c. 
Her  musical  spirit  desired  to  “ greet  the  angel  of  death  with 
his  white  wings,  undismayed  and  gladly;”  she  would  go 
forth  to  meet  him  in  a garden  of  roses. 

So  Fidele’s  grave,  in  Shakspeare,  is  to  be  “ sweetened  with 
fairest  flowers  “ the  pale  primrose,  the  azure  harebell,  and 
furred  moss.” 

(19)  Page  289. 

Mr.  Gatlin,  in  his  interesting  work  on  the  North  American 
tribes,  vol.  ii.,  p.  10,  alludes  to  “ the  usual  mode  of  the  Oma- 
has,  of  depositing  their  dead  in  the  crotches,  and  on  the 
branches  of  trees,  enveloped  in  skins,”  &c. 

Herodotus,  Terps.  iv.,  mentions  the  Thracians  also,  as 
rejoicing  at  a death,  and  mourning  at  a birth.  ToV  piv 
ycvopevov  nepii^opevoi  oi  irpocrrjKOVTZg  6\o(J>vpovrai,  tuvS ’ 
diroyzv6peuov  i rai^ovTzg  ts  ical  ridopevoi  yfj  Kpvirrovoi, 
ziriXeyovreg  oauv  kolkwv  l^anaWa^deig  zotL  zv  irdarj 


380  PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  F series  ii. 

evSaifioviT).  A very  enlightened  thought  for  a race  other- 
wise represented  to  be  sunk  in  barbarism. 

In  Walton’s  Angler,  chap,  iv.,  p.  79,  the  hearty  old  man 
says,  “ I now  see  it  was  not  without  cause,  that  our  good 
Queen  Elizabeth  did  so  often  wish  herself  a milkmaid  all 
the  month  of  May,  because  they  are  not  troubled  with  fears 
and  cares,  but  sing  sweetly  all  the  day,  and  sleep  securely  all 
the  night : and  without  doubt,  honest,  innocent,  pretty  Maud- 
lin does  so  too.  I’ll  bestow  Sir  Thomas  Overbury’s  Milk- 
maid’s wish  upon  her,  ‘ That  she  may  die  in  the  spring,  and, 
being  dead,  may  have  good  store  of  flowers  stuck  round 
about  her  winding  sheet.’  ” Pretty  and  pastoral,  but  more 
for  Bion’s  age  of  the  world  than  our’s,  even  if  in  those  old 
times  Arcadia  was  not  more  lovely  in  idea  than  in  reality. 

(20)  “ Hemmed  in  by  hostile  foes, the  trifler  is  busied  on  an 
epigram .”  Page  314. 

Even  in  matters  temporal,  a literal  instance  of  this  occurs 
in  the  history  of  Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia,  who,  during 
the  mortal  struggles  of  the  seven  years’  war,  frequently  occu- 
pied the  eve  before  a battle  in  the  studious  composition  of 
profane  jests,  and  bad  poetry. 

(21)  “ He  specified  the  partridge  by  her  cry”  fyc.  Page  318. 

The  Hebrew  tongue  is  known  to  have  many  sounds  which 
are  considered  to  accord  well  with  their  significations , a 

familiar  instance  of  this  is  the  word  fcOp  koray,  partridge, 
meaning  “caller,”  and  expressive  alike  of  the  bird’s  nature, 
and  of  the  cry  it  utters,  layelah,  nighit,  is  another 

instance  supposed  to  be  imitative  of  the  nocturnal  howling 
of  hyenas. 

The  whole  subject,  Names,  as  indeed  many  that  have  pre- 
ceded it,  would  admit  of  lengthy  annotation,  a practice 


SERIES  II. J 


NOTES. 


381 


perhaps  little  praiseworthy ; indeed  notes  of  any  kind  are  in 
the  nature  of  an  intrusion,  and  so  far  demand  apology ; it  is 
more  becoming  to  be  as  brief  as  possible,  and  trust  to  the 
intellect  of  readers : three  words  only  shall  be  added.  An 
example  of  the  “ arbitrary  name,”  is  Dahlia,  so  called  from  a 
Swedish  botanist ; of  the  “ reasonable  name,”  Sunflower : 
while  such  an  obvious  case  as  Rafflesia  Arnoldi  (named  mtfre 
wisely  by  the  Javanese  in  their  own  tongue,  Ambun  Amboan , 
to  be  Englished,  “ the  flower  of  flowers,  or  the  giant  flower”), 
will  serve  to  exemplify  the  vanity  of  men,  and  their  super- 
added  obstacles  to  science. 

(22)  “Nine  Homers,"  &rc.  Page  323. 

It  is  true  that  seven  of  these  have  so  perished  from  me- 
mory, that  we  know  nothing  of  their  works  ; we  only  know 
they  lived  : an  eighth,  however,  he  of  Hierapolis  and  one  of 
the  poetic  Pleiades  of  the  age  of  Philadelphus,  is  reported  to 
have  written  no  less  than  five-and-forty  plays.  • 

Musaeus,  a little  lower  down,  is  Virgil’s  tall  prophet  in  the 
Elysian  fields,  mentioned  JEn.  vi.,  667. 

“ Musaeum  ante  omnes  ; medium  nam  plurima  turba 
Hunc  habet,  atque  humeris  extantem  suspicit  altis.” 

(23)  “ Ulysses ,”  &c.  Page  326. 
troAAwv  dvOpcoirwv  I6ev  aarea,  Kal  voov  eyvu>. 

Herodotus  frequently  makes  a distinction  between  the  cer- 
tainty of  things  which  he  saw,  and  thing?  .*e  merely  heard 
of.  Both  he  and  Plato  (as  well  probably  as  Lycurgus  also, 
for  he  was  a renowned  traveller)  dwelt  some  time  at  Helio- 
polis mentioned  above,  and  traversed  Asia. 

Fine  instants  of  the  atmosphere  of  ungarbled  truth  being 
necessarily  brMthed  around  the  wonders  of  nature  or  art  by 
a person  on  the  spot,  are  furnished,  almost  passim,  in  the 
published  works  of  Lieutenant  Holman,  the  blind  traveller. 


382 


PROVERBIAL  PHILOSOPHY.  [series  ii. 


(si)  “ Sons  of  MattathiaSy ” fyc.  Page  329. 

John,  Simon,  Judas,  Eleazar,  and  Jonathan,  who  liberated 
Israel  from  the  domination  of  the  Greeks,  about  b.  c.  160 : 
and  who  were  known  by  the  general  name  of  the  Maccabees, 
from  the  initial  Hebrew  letters  of  the  first  four  words  from 
Ex.  xv.,  11,  being  inscribed  upon  their  standard. 

Margaret  of  Anjou  has  obtained  a just  name  for  heroism 
in  history,  and  was  the  mainstay  of  the  house  of  Lancaster 
until  the  barbarous  murders  of  her  son  and  imbecile  husband, 
Henry  VI. 

A few  lines  further,  it  may  ne  necessary  to  state  that  the 
seeming  anachronism  in  speaking  of  Corinthian  brass  in  the 
same  breath  with  Achilles’  spear,  is  one  only  in  appearance : 
for,  although  that  mixt  metal  is  said  to  have  resulted  acci- 
dentally from  the  conflagration  of  Corinth  by  the  Romans, 
circ.  a.  c.,  150,  still,  there  is  better  reason  to  believe  that  the 
true  Corinthian  was  a mixture  of  the  highest  antiquity,  and 
analogous  to,  if  not  the  same  thing  as  the  metal  called 
Auriehalcum. 

(25)  « The  word  for  both  is  one,”  &rc.  Page  336. 

irtVrif,  a derivative  from  neWo/iat,  will  almost  as  readily 
bear  the  sense  of  obedience,  as  of  persuasion,  and  of  cre- 
dence. I know  not  whether  a similar  latent  sympathy  may 
be  thought  to  exist  between  our  own  old  English  word  “ faith,” 
and  the  Norman  “ fait,”  factum,  a deed ; at  any  rate,  the 
coincidence  is  worth  a passing  notice. 

(26)  Ovid  had  been  wise  for  winking.  Page  342. 

The  poet  Ovid  was  exiled  for  life  to  the  shores  of  the 
Black  Sea  for  having  seen,  and  indiscreetly  divulged,  some 
intrigue  in  the  family  of  Augustus.  He  complains  frequently 
of  this  hard  lot ; for  example, 

“Inscia  quod  crimen  viderunt  lumina  plector 
Peccatumque  oculos  est  habuisse  meum.” 


series  ii.J  NOTES.  383 

But  he  might  with  greater  justice  have  accused  his  tongue 
than  his  eyes. 

(27)  Page  357. 

Madame  de  Stael  somewhere  uses  these  words:  “To  enjoy 
ourselves,  we  must  seek  solitude.  It  was  in  the  Bastile  that 
I first  became  acquainted  with  myself.” 

Scipio  is  reported  to  have  originated  the  popular  sayings, 
“ I am  never  less  idle  than  when  I have  most  leisure,”  and 
“ I am  never  less  alone  than  when  alone.” 

The  Emperor  Charles  V.,  with  the  example  of  Diocletiam 
before  him,  resigned  his  crown : and  retired  from  the  world 
to  the  monastery  of  St.  Just  at  Plazencia  in  Spain : where, 
as  Robertson  says,  “ he  buried  in  solitude  and  silence  his 
grandeur  and  his  ambition.” 

(26)  Page  361. 

It  maybe  necessary  to  acquaint  the  reader  that  this  section 
takes  a retrospective  glance  at  my  former  series  of  subjects 
treated  in  the  proverbial  style;  a brief  recapitulation  of  the 
present  volume  follows,  finishing  the  work. 


THE  END. 


THE  im^y  nF  THE 
JUL  1 6 1934 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


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